The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for Game 1 of their 2022 NBA Playoff matchup against the Utah Jazz, set to tip-off this coming Saturday. One of the biggest storylines surrounding Jason Kidd's Mavs is the status of superstar guard Luka Doncic, who sustained a left calf strain during the team's regular season finale against the San Antonio Spurs. Doncic was spotted in a walking boot on Monday, then was given no timetable for his return, a solid piece of gamesmanship on the part of Dallas. Such gamesmanship continued on Tuesday, when Kidd made some cryptic comments on the status of Doncic for Game 1 vs. the Jazz, as reported by Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.

Townsend reported that Kidd said Doncic was “in great spirits” multiple times during his interview. However, the Mavs coach made sure to say as little as possible about Doncic's status for the team's NBA Playoff matchup against the Jazz.

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Doncic's teammate Spencer Dinwiddie added to the confusion when said that the Mavs star doesn't “seem like a guy that’s going to miss too much time, if any.” The Mavs deserve an Oscar for their level of dedication to keeping Doncic's status a secret.

In all seriousness, it makes perfect sense why the team would do that ahead of Game 1 vs. the Jazz. Given the quick turnaround, it seems unlikely that Doncic will be suiting up.

However, the Mavs may have an outside chance at getting their best player back sooner than they thought, if Dinwiddie is to be believed.