The Dallas Mavericks have been without superstar Luka Doncic for nearly two weeks while he nurses an ankle injury, and subsequently entered the NBA's health and safety protocols. Mavs fans who were hoping to see him back on the court for the team's Christmas Day game may want to start wishing for something else, however. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Doncic will not travel with the Mavs for their game against the Jazz on Christmas Day.

Doncic hasn't played for the Mavs since Dec. 10, and now that he's been ruled out for the Christmas Day game, his next opportunity to return to the floor will come on Monday Dec. 27, against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Mavericks have gone 3-3 in the six games Doncic has been sidelined in the month of December.

Mavs fans have been anxiously awaiting the return of the superstar guard since his absence, and they'll need him as the playoff race begins to heat up. Doncic, 22, is averaging 25.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game this season across 21 outings for the Mavs. He's shooting at a 44.7% clip from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range.

At 15-16 the Mavs find themselves right in the heart of a crowded Western Conference playoff hunt, but they face a tall task against the Jazz, especially with Doncic sidelined. In Doncic's absence, Jalen Brunson has stepped up and taken charge of the Mavs' offense. Over the past six games, he's averaged 20.2 points and 7.5 assists.

Doncic has missed a total of nine games this season, and he's set to miss his 10th game per Stein's report that he isn't traveling to Salt Lake City.