Mavs news: Luka Doncic will likely miss a couple of weeks with ankle injury

Mavs phenom Luka Doncic is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with an ankle injury.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is likely to miss at least a couple of weeks after suffering a moderate ankle sprain during a loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday night.

Although Doncic will miss a tough stretch against some top-tier Eastern Conference squads, Tim MacMahon of ESPN reports the “Mavs feel they dodged a bullet” with this injury:

Luka Doncic might be able to return within a couple of weeks after suffering a moderate right ankle sprain last night, sources told ESPN. Doncic likely misses upcoming stretch vs. East power (Bucks, Celtics, 76ers and Raptors this week), but Mavs feel they dodged a bullet.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 15, 2019

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle wouldn't offer many more details other than the fact that Doncic will not travel to Milwaukee for Monday's game against the Bucks.

Doncic played under two minutes before suffering the sprain. Unfortunately for the Mavs, it was rather fluky in nature.

Doncic rolled his right ankle as he drove to the rim and attempted to pivot, though there was not much contact involved on the play. The 20-year-old remained on the floor before gingerly hopping to the locker room. He would not return to the game.

This will be a test of character for Dallas. Despite falling to the Heat on Saturday, the Mavs are still in third place in the Western Conference. But with a tough slate upcoming, they will need to look elsewhere for inspiration with Doncic sidelined.

Luka has been an MVP candidate after a dazzling start to his sophomore campaign. He was averaging better than 30 points, nearly 10 rebounds and nine assists prior to Saturday night, and he still ranks third in player efficiency rating (PER) despite playing just a couple minutes prior to the injury.

Doncic also became the first player in NBA history to record a pair of 40-point triple-doubles before the age of 21 after he torched the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night:

Another record for Luka 📝 pic.twitter.com/2hTqCn1XMi

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 13, 2019

Though the Mavs could use Doncic on the floor for this next stretch, they will certainly be glad that the diagnosis was not more severe.