Nick Angstadt here, the host of the daily Locked On Mavericks podcast, with your daily Locked On Mavericks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Mavericks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Life Without Luka Doncic for the Dallas Mavericks
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) checks the scoreboard during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks’ season took an unexpected turn on Christmas Day when Luka Dončić left the game with a left calf strain.
The injury occurred during the game, with Dončić immediately asking to be taken out. He left the arena on crutches, raising concerns about the severity of the strain. An MRI was scheduled for Thursday and per ESPN’s latest report on Thursday night, Doncic will be re-evaluated in a month.
This isn’t Dončić's first encounter with left leg issues. He’s had a history of injuries to that calf, including missing training camp and preseason this year due to a contusion. This marks the third calf strain in recent years, following incidents before the 2022 playoffs and during the 2023 preseason.
Potential Timeline and Impact
While Doncic will be out at least a month, injury expert Jeff Stotts suggests that if it’s a grade 2 strain, we could be looking at an average 34 days missed. However, given Dončić's history, the Mavericks might take a more cautious approach.
Personally, I’m mentally preparing for a potential return after the All-Star break, which is about eight weeks away. This would mean missing around 26 games. Of course, I’m hoping for better news in a month, but it’s important to be realistic given the circumstances.
Broader Implications
This injury could have significant ramifications beyond just the Mavericks’ win-loss record. If Dončić misses extended time, it likely takes him out of the running for MVP and other postseason awards due to the games played threshold.
Moreover, his absence could reshape the Western Conference playoff picture. The Mavericks have shown they can win without Dončić (6-2 record), but sustaining that over a longer period will be challenging.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Luka Dončić's injury situation, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Mavericks Podcast:
• The role of Kyrie Irving in Dončić's absence
• Potential trade implications for the Mavericks
• Historical context of similar calf injuries in the NBA
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) talk before the game at Chase Center. | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The ‘Things NBA fans get themselves worked up about’ category got a new entry this month, and it reached a fever pitch over the Christmas Day slate of games —ratings. Specifically, broadcast ratings.
It’s a subject Commissioner Adam Silver is often asked about in his pressers, especially those that precede the NBA’s tent-pole events like the In-Season Tournament, All-Star Weekend, the Finals, and Summer League. It also comes up around the annual Board of Governors meeting in early September. It makes sense for Silver to talk about it, given that he’s the league Commissioner, and because he’s been at the helm for broadcast contract negotiations and renegotiations. If this is all making your eyes cross, good, that helps to prove my point.
Silver, team owners, and broadcast executives are the only people who should care about the NBA’s broadcast ratings. It’s their job. Whether numbers are up or down should be of no concern to fans, casual or die-hard, because they ultimately have no bearing on the viewing experience, nor is it up to fans to “fix” anything.
Traditionally, this would’ve been self-evident, but in the contemporary era of fandom — especially NBA fandom — there’s a desire to critique and cosplay as team or league executives. Everything from down to the decimal point salary analysis in trade machinations, on-court performance and ways to improve athlete “production”, concerns for whether front offices are over-spending (they’re billionaires, they can afford it), and now, worries over marketing of the league.
Broadcast ratings are just one metric. The decline in “traditional” television ratings has more to do with how younger fans find and interact with basketball than with some phantom threat of malaise or disinterest. Cable is expensive, and younger audiences almost exclusively stream their sports. Case in point ESPN’s announcement on Christmas Day of an 84% spike in viewership, a day when many, many people head to their family home and have cable television to watch and plenty of free time on their hands.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Feel Good Luka Dončić’s foundation is bringing back the joy of youth basketball by supporting young athletes and fostering a love for the game, making a positive impact on the community. (Mavs Moneyball)
Injury Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić will be re-evaluated in a month due to a left calf strain. The team is monitoring his recovery closely. (Dallas News)
Injury Luka Dončić’s calf strain has sidelined him for at least a month, impacting the Mavericks’ lineup. The team is assessing the injury’s long-term effects. (Dallas News)
Milestone Klay Thompson reflects on passing Reggie Miller on the NBA’s all-time 3-point list, calling it a “surreal” moment. This achievement highlights a significant career milestone. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Mavericks will face off against the Suns at the Footprint Center at 10:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Ticket Booth
Presented by
Mavericks @ Suns
Friday, Dec. 27 | 7:00PM | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ | Get Tickets
Mavericks @ Trail Blazers
Saturday, Dec. 28 | 7:00PM | Moda Center, Portland, OR | Get Tickets
Mavericks @ Kings
Monday, Dec. 30 | 7:00PM | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Christmas Day Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Spectacular: Must-Adds and Droppable Players
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (right) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita/Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As we celebrate Christmas Day, it’s time for a fantasy basketball waiver wire spectacular. Let’s dive into the most added players, must-roster options, and those you can consider dropping.
The most added player over the last 48 hours is Trayce Jackson-Davis. With two solid games in a row and increased minutes, he’s a no-brainer add for now. Keep an eye on his playing time, as anything over 22 minutes makes him worth rostering.
Noah Clowney is another intriguing addition. His shooting has improved from his college days, and he’s getting significant minutes due to injuries. While I’m not sure he’ll provide top-70 value, he’s worth a look in most leagues.
When it comes to must-roster players (under 50% rostered on Yahoo), consider these options:
1. Goga Bitadze: Despite a recent ankle sprain and ejection, his floor has risen significantly.
2. Ben Simmons: Roster him now and worry about potential issues later.
3. Yves Missi: While I’m skeptical about his role when the Pelicans are fully healthy, he should be rostered for now.
4. Bilal Coulibaly: After a cold streak, he’s regained his form and confidence.
5. Ayo Dosunmu: Although I have limited faith in his long-term upside, he’s a must-roster player for the time being.
On the flip side, there are some players you can consider dropping. Remember, “droppable” doesn’t mean you must drop them, but rather that it’s acceptable to do so if needed. These include Gradey Dick, Dennis Schröder, Onyeka Okongwu, Rui Hachimura, Jaden McDaniels, and Jaden Ivey.
Looking at hot players, Larry Nance Jr. has been impressive lately, ranking 40th over the last week. While I don’t expect this to hold long-term, he’s worth rostering for now. Other notable hot players include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jake LaRavia, and Dean Wade.
The Dallas Mavericks secured a crucial victory against the OKC Thunder in a high-intensity matchup. Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and the Mavs showcased their resilience and teamwork to overcome a tough opponent in the NBA.
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a controversial loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game marred by a missed goaltending call. How did the Mavs respond without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and what impact did the officiating have on the NBA game’s outcome?
The Dallas Mavericks are searching for their next elite defender to complement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Can the Mavs find a hidden gem like they did with Derrick Jones Jr. last season to bolster their NBA championship aspirations?
