Mavs' Luka Dončić Available to Play vs. Celtics in NBA Finals Game 2 Amid Injury | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
William Burgess After being downgraded to questionable ahead of Sunday's NBA Finals Game 2 against the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić reportedly will not let his injuries keep him sidelined.
The Mavericks announced that Dončić is "available" after NBA insider Marc Stein reported that he was "on course" to play in Sunday's matchup. ESPN's Tim MacMahon noted that a thoracic contusion was added to Dončićs injury report along with the right knee sprain and left ankle soreness he has been playing through for most of the playoffs.
Mavs head coach Jason Kidd told reporters that Dončić will make a decision on his Game 2 status after taking warmups. Kidd added that he believes the Slovenian injured his chest by taking a charge and diving for a loose ball in Game 1.
MacMahon pointed out that Dončić had been listed as questionable "on several occasions" throughout the postseason, but he has yet to miss a game. It would've been a major stunner if he sat out in the NBA Finals, but Stein noted that Dončić appeared to be dealing with "[visible discomfort] during yesterday's open media session in Boston."
Dončić is coming off a 30-point, 10-rebound performance in Thursday's 107-89 Game 1 loss. No other player on the team scored 15 points or more, and Dončić uncharacteristically finished with one assist in a game where the Mavs trailed by as many as 29 points.
The Mavs are undoubtedly hoping for a better showing on Sunday, but it will be difficult to bounce back against the Celtics if Dončić isn't at 100 percent. He told reporters on Saturday that he expects the team to play with more energy in Game 2.
"I think just be a little bit more aggressive," Dončić said. "I think we all came out for the game with little energy. So I think we have to be better with our energy, especially from the start."
Despite being banged up, Dončić still leads the NBA in points (519), rebounds (174), assists (151), steals (30) and minutes (744) in the playoffs. The Mavs will need him to be at his best if they hope to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole against the Celtics.
