Mavs star Luka Doncic will be out about a month before check on calf injury, AP source says

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will be out about a month before being re-evaluated for a calf injury sustained in a Christmas Day loss to Minnesota, a person with knowledge of the injury said Friday.

Doncic underwent an MRI on his strained left calf, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details of the injury haven't been released.

The absence is almost certain to be long enough to disqualify the five-time All-NBA player from consideration for that and other major awards, including MVP.

Doncic had already missed eight games, including five because of a sprained right wrist, when he pulled up lame while running a play on offense late in the second quarter of a 105-99 loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old never made it to the defensive end and limped to the locker room after the Mavericks called a timeout.

The defending Western Conference champion Mavericks play 17 games over the next month, starting Friday night in Phoenix. Doncic entered Friday sixth in the NBA in scoring at 28.1 points per game while averaging 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists.

A 25-game absence would be well beyond the maximum of 15 allowed for players to remain eligible for major awards. The most games Doncic has missed in a season is 17 in 2021-22, before the participation rule went into effect.

The injury happened in Doncic's second game back after missing two games with a left heel contusion. He also is developing a history of issues with his left calf. Doncic missed all or most of the past two preseasons while previously sitting the first three games of the 2022 playoffs.

The Mavericks, who are in fourth place in the West, are 6-2 without Doncic this season. A large reason for that is fellow backcourt star Kyrie Irving, who is averaging 24 points when Doncic sits.

Dallas also added four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson from Golden State in the offseason, and his 3-point threat makes it easier to survive without Doncic.

Spencer Dinwiddie, who played an important role in the surprising 2022 run to the West finals that started without Doncic, returned to Dallas in the offseason and will see more minutes while the Slovenian star sits.

Naji Marshall, another offseason addition, scored at least 20 points in each of the first four games Doncic missed with the sprained wrist. An illness recently sidelined Marshall four times in a stretch of five games, but he has played the past four games.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic drives against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shares a laugh with guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) as Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates after hitting a three-pointer over Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) makes a move on Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Dallas.(AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) attempts a shot over Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) questions a call by referee Sean Wright (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, seven rebounds and six blocks, Jeremy Sochan had 12 points and 14 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-87 on Friday night.

Julian Champagnie scored 18 points, and Keldon Johnson had 15 points and six rebounds to help the Spurs end a two-game skid.

Keon Johnson scored a game-high 25 points and Shake Milton chipped in with 16 points and 12 assists for Brooklyn, which fell for the ninth time in its past 12 games.

San Antonio: After an abysmal shooting first half, where they shot just 27.5% from the field, the Spurs lit it up in the second half by making 21 of 37 field goals (56.7%).

Brooklyn: Playing the second of a back-to-back, and without leading scorer Cam Johnson (hip contusion) and assist leader Ben Simmons (lower back management), the Nets struggled to generate offense, shooting just 38.9% from the field and scoring a season low for points.

After a quiet four-point first half, Wembanyama came alive in the third quarter by scoring 11 points and knocking down three 3-pointers during the Spurs’ 22-9 run that turned a two-point deficit in to a 69-58 lead.

The Spurs survived a brief third-quarter scare when Wembanyama went to the locker room after catching Jalen Wilson’s accidental head butt with 4:43 left. San Antonio outscored Brooklyn 12-8 with Wembanyama out of the game and 33-21 overall in the third quarter.

Wembanyama had at least four blocks in his fifth straight game. He also recorded at least one 3-pointer and at least one block for the 22nd straight game.

San Antonio: at Minnesota on Sunday.

Brooklyn: at Orlando on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Brooklyn Nets' Noah Clowney, center, shoots the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell, center, reacts after scoring a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell, left, defends the ball from Brooklyn Nets' Shake Milton, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell, left, shoots the ball against Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Brooklyn Nets' Shake Milton, right, dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)