Is Mavericks’ Luka Doncic playing in Game 1 vs. Thunder? Latest injury update

Doncic is listed as probable with a right knee sprain for Tuesday’s Game 1. Luka is likely on track to play barring a setback. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd provided an encouraging update on both Doncic and Hardaway on Monday after practice.

“They’ve been great, they look great,” Kidd said. “They look like they are ready to go.”

Hardaway’s return will be crucial. Dallas has struggled with the three-point shot so far in the ’24 postseason. In fact, Maxi Kleber was one of the Mavericks’ better three-point shooters against the Clippers. Kleber suffered a shoulder injury in the Mavs’ Game 6 win, though, and his status for the remainder of the NBA playoffs is in question.

Hardaway is a good three-point shooter. Perhaps he will add an element of stability from beyond the arc.

Luka Doncic is still trying to find his three-point shot in the playoffs. His statistics are impressive overall nonetheless. Doncic averaged 29.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per outing against the Clippers in the first-round. He shot just 40.5 percent from the field and 23.9 percent from deep, however.

In the end, Doncic is going to find a way to impact the game regardless of how well he shoots the ball. There is reason to believe he will improve his long-range efficiency, though. Doncic has shot 34 percent from three-point range during his career in the NBA playoffs. He also shot a career-high 38.2 percent on his three-point attempts during the 2023-24 regular season.

Doncic does not make excuses, but one has to wonder if his knee injury has impacted his performance at all. He may begin to see more consistency moving forward as he recovers from his knee injury.

For now, when it comes to the question of if Luka Doncic is playing in Game 1 vs. the Thunder tonight, the answer is maybe.