Earlier than going through the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will will in all probability play on Christmas Day. Regardless of scoring a team-high 27 factors within the Mavs’ 132-108 win over the Portland Path Blazers, Doncic is coping with a bruised left heel that landed his title on the report. workforce harm earlier than Wednesday’s recreation.
Earlier than the match, Doncic was seen have a look in his Christmas stocking earlier than putting objects there, in response to X of NBA, previously Twitter.
The Mavericks enter Wednesday’s Christmas recreation towards the Timberwolves, winners of 10 of their earlier 12 video games. They’ve seemingly discovered their rhythm in 2024-25 whereas slowly climbing the Western Convention standings, the place the Mavs sit in fourth place. Dallas is half a recreation behind the Memphis Grizzlies.
Mavericks obtain harm updates for Christmas Day recreation
The return from harm of Dallas Mavericks celebrity Luka Doncic for Monday’s win over the Portland Path Blazers signaled a step in the appropriate path, as he’s thought of possible for Wednesday’s recreation. Nonetheless, he isn’t the one participant listed as Jaden Hardy and the Mavericks obtained some excellent news forward of their Christmas Day recreation towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Hardy has not performed since Dec. 5 on account of a sprained proper ankle. Nonetheless, its standing has develop into questionable.
Earlier than beginning the common season, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd expressed confidence in his third-year guard. Kidd, anticipating a breakout marketing campaign, stated Hardy’s progress as a participant is limitless, in response to Mavericks.com.
“The ceiling is there, there’s no ceiling,” Kidd stated. “It is dependent upon him and the work he does. We’ll see the place he finally ends up. He’s a younger participant, he’s labored extraordinarily laborious at his craft and he’s getting higher yearly.
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Hardy averaged 7.3 factors in 13.5 minutes final season in 73 video games. This yr, he has struggled to seek out any important rhythm, averaging 6.5 factors on 39.1% taking pictures, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22 video games. Nonetheless, that will not discourage Kidd from turning to his younger guard early and sometimes all year long.
“When wholesome, he can nonetheless be on this rotation and never begin due to the names forward of him,” Kidd added. “However he’s had an unimaginable coaching camp up to now. We sit up for him taking part in some minutes and being part of this rotation.
Hardy averages 14.5 minutes and has began two of the Mavericks’ video games this season. Doncic, Hardy and the Mavs will face the Timberwolves at 2:30 p.m. EST on Christmas Day as a part of the NBA’s five-game Christmas Day slate.
