Luka Dončić Likely Out For Season With Knee Injury
Luka Dončić Likely Out For Season With Knee Injury...
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that star guard Luka Dončić will likely miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season due to a knee injury sustained during Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns. The 27-year-old Slovenian superstar underwent an MRI this morning that revealed a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee.
Dončić collided with Suns center Deandre Ayton while driving to the basket late in the third quarter. He immediately grabbed his knee and had to be helped off the court. The Mavericks initially listed him as questionable before ruling him out for the season after further evaluation.
This development comes at a critical time for Dallas, who currently hold the 5th seed in the Western Conference with just 12 games remaining in the regular season. The team had been surging behind Dončić's MVP-caliber performance, averaging 32.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.
Head coach Jason Kidd told reporters: "This is obviously a tough blow for our team. Luka has been our engine all season. We'll need everyone to step up in his absence." The Mavericks are expected to rely more heavily on Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. to carry the offensive load.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with #PrayForLuka trending on Twitter. Many noted this could significantly impact the Mavericks' playoff chances and the tight MVP race between Dončić, Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The injury also raises questions about Dončić's availability for the 2026 FIBA World Cup, where he was expected to lead Slovenia's national team. Team officials say they'll monitor his recovery but prioritize his long-term health.
Medical experts estimate a typical recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks for this type of injury, which would extend beyond the NBA Finals in mid-June. The Mavericks have not provided an exact timetable but confirmed Dončić will begin rehabilitation immediately.
This marks the first major injury of Dončić's eight-year NBA career. The three-time All-NBA First Team selection had played in 92% of possible games before this season. Dallas faces the Utah Jazz on Friday in their first game without their franchise player.
