Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was downgraded to questionable on Friday’s harm report, citing a proper knee sprain and left ankle soreness, forward of Saturday afternoon’s Recreation 3 matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the Western Convention semifinals.
Nonetheless, Doncic was upgraded to possible on Saturday morning for his knee harm. The five-time All-Star guard has been taking part in on the sprained knee since struggling that harm in Recreation 3 of Dallas’ first-round sequence towards the Los Angeles Clippers.
Throughout the fourth quarter of Thursday night time’s 119-110 Recreation 2 win at Oklahoma Metropolis, Doncic was noticed hobbling and grabbing his left ankle after getting his toes twisted up with Thunder reserve guard Cason Wallace.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder haven’t any accidents to report, whereas the Dallas Mavericks listing Luka Doncic (knee) as questionable. pic.twitter.com/cz9FlzRDJd
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) Might 10, 2024
Doncic remained within the sport and drained a step-back 3-pointer on the Mavericks’ subsequent possession. He completed with 29 factors, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists within the series-tying victory.
“I believe that was one of many hardest video games I’ve needed to play,” Doncic stated postgame. “I’m battling on the market making an attempt to do my greatest to assist the staff win.
“He simply stepped on my foot, however nothing critical. I do know he didn’t do it on goal, so nothing critical. We simply thought it was a foul. Different individuals would get a foul name on that one.”
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) is anticipated to play in Recreation 3 towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Doncic, the NBA’s regular-season scoring champion, is averaging 28.4 factors, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per sport in the course of the playoffs. The six-year veteran averaged profession highs of 33.9 factors, 9.8 assists, and 37.5 minutes within the common season.
For fascinating betting developments, the Thunder are 10-1 of their final 11 video games and 9-3 towards the unfold of their previous 12 conferences with Dallas. Oklahoma Metropolis can also be 2-5 ATS in its earlier seven contests.
In the meantime, the Mavericks are 9-2 ATS of their final 11 dwelling video games and 5-12 of their previous 17 contests performed on a Saturday. The purpose whole has gone over in 4 of Dallas’ earlier 5 video games as nicely.
Defend dwelling court docket.
🏀 Recreation 3
🆚 @okcthunder
⌚ 2:30PM CT
📺 @ABCNetwork
📻 97.1 FM and 99.1 FM pic.twitter.com/1r0EBdDnTR— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) Might 11, 2024
The Thunder are 26-17 away for the season, whereas the Mavericks are 27-17 total at dwelling. In fact, the purpose whole has gone over in Dallas’ final 5 dwelling video games versus OKC.
NBA sportsbooks present the Mavs as 2.5-point favorites forward of Recreation 3. Per ESPN’s Basketball Energy Index, Dallas holds a 54.2% probability of defeating the Thunder on the American Airways Heart.
The profitable staff of this sequence will advance to the Western Convention Finals and face off towards both the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves.