Luka Doncic finally returned for the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday after a three-game absence. The Mavs star has been dealing with multiple sprains on both his left knee and his left ankle but apparently, these were not enough to prevent him from taking the floor against the Los Angeles Clippers.
As expected, Doncic came up big for the Mavs as he led his team to a 112-104 win over their rivals. After the game, Luka admitted that he actually did everything he could to make sure that he was going to be available for the Clippers game:
“It’s always special,” Doncic said, viaTomer Azarly of ClutchPoints. “I wanted to play this game really badly. That’s why I got to say that the medical staff did a great job, everyone helped me, every day. We made it happen.
“Mentally I was happy to be back. I miss basketball, it’s only been three days. Like I said this morning we will do everything possible to play the game. I felt great after I woke up from my nap and I was just ready to go.”
Doncic missed three games due to his ankle and knee problems, but it sounds like he had this date encircled in his calendar. The Mavs star has a bit of history with the Clippers, and some of his passion came pouring out early in the game against LA swingman Terance Mann.
After Tuesday's win, Luka and the Mavs are now 10-7 and are sitting at the fourth spot in the Western Conference, with the Clippers just half a game behind them at fifth.