The Dallas Mavericks hit the road on Monday as they square off with the Denver Nuggets. It appears they'll have Luka Doncic for the contest despite the Mavs star being on the injury report before the game with an illness.

Doncic has battled multiple ailments and injuries recently and this illness is the latest in a string of mental and physical distractions that haven’t slowed down the 24-year-old. Doncic is averaging nearly 33 points per game and has maybe been the best player in the NBA over the last two weeks.

Since missing the Mavs game on Dec. 1, Doncic has averaged 36.4 points, 12.1 assists and nine rebounds per game in seven games. He recorded three triple-doubles in that span and the Mavs went 5-2 in those games.

Doncic is again putting together a case for MVP, though he could be looked at as having an outside chance behind the mainstay trio of Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Any missed time would put a crucial dent in Doncic's MVP resume, so he'll try his best to fight through the illness.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Lakers’ Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emergeErik Slater ·
NBA commissioner is Adam Silver presents Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (not pictured) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season before game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Adam Silver sets record straight on Mavericks landing No. 1 pickBenedetto Vitale ·
The Dallas Mavericks team bench reacts to a Denver Nuggets score during the second half at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks will look to fight off Euro power for key free agentRichard Pereira ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) controls the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends during the third quarter at American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: ESPN suggests Suns-Mavericks trade swapping Cooper Flagg pick, Devin BookerPreston Byers ·
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Lakers set first Cooper Flagg, Mavericks matchup in Las VegasMalik Brown ·
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) and Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) battle for the ball in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
NBA rumors: ESPN suggests Spurs-Mavericks trade to pair Cooper Flagg, WembyPreston Byers ·

The only game Doncic missed this season was due to personal reasons. The Mavs star has been relatively healthy throughout the season but injuries haven’t slowed him down as of late.

He'll get a crack at Jokic and the Nuggets on Monday as the Mavericks try to stay in a top-three spot in the Western Conference. Luka Doncic will be on the floor and if he can, he'll play the majority of minutes for the Mavs. He's playing a career-high 36.8 minutes per game this season and has played over 40 minutes per game over the last seven contests.

A win would go a long way for the Mavs and another stellar performance from a less than 100 percent Luka Doncic would be the icing on the cake.