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Dallas Mavericks Face Injury Struggles Ahead of Crucial Matchup with Denver Nuggets
After making a thrilling NBA Finals appearance last season, the Dallas Mavericks entered the 2024-25 campaign with heightened expectations. With a star-studded backcourt featuring Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks had every reason to believe their success would continue. However, midway through the season, injuries threaten to derail their championship aspirations.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 22-16 record, the Mavericks have found themselves grappling with key absences. As they prepare for a pivotal showdown against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, the injuries have hit harder than ever.
The Mavericks will be without their superstar guard Luka Doncic for Sunday’s game, marking his ninth consecutive game on the sidelines due to a left calf strain. This will be the 17th game Doncic has missed this season, rendering him ineligible for any postseason awards. In the eight games without Doncic, Dallas has managed a 3-5 record but has shown signs of recovery with two consecutive wins.
Fans were eager to witness a clash between two of the league’s top international stars, Jokic and Doncic. However, with both MVP-caliber players listed on the injury report, the highly anticipated matchup may lose some of its luster. Kyrie Irving’s absence further compounds Dallas’ challenges, as the team navigates a season setback by injuries to both its All-Star guards.
Despite these hurdles, the Mavericks are fighting to maintain their position in the playoff race. Sunday’s game against the Nuggets presents a formidable challenge, especially if Jokic suits up and leads Denver on a potential path to a crucial road victory.
