NBA News, Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic diagnosed with calf strain

An MRI on Monday apparently confirmed the strain in Luka Doncic’s left calf. Whether the Dallas Mavericks superstar will be fit for the playoff opener next weekend is probably still open.
That comes from a report by Tim MacMahon (ESPN) out. Accordingly, the Mavs do not yet have a schedule for when Doncic will start training again. However, an anonymous source also stated that the 23-year-old could not be ruled out in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Utah Jazz on Saturday (April 16, 7 p.m.).
Doncic was injured in the regular-season final against the San Antonio Spurs just before the end of the third quarter when he tried to start a sprint. The three-time All-Star began limping with a pained expression on his face and immediately grabbed his left calf. He couldn’t play anymore.
Following the Mavs’ 130-120 win over Texas rivals, Doncic did not speak to the media. On the other hand, Jalen Brunson was optimistic that the Slovenian would be okay. “For some reason I think he can play,” Brunson said. “It’s unfortunate, but you can’t keep a competitor like him out for long”
The Mavericks had Monday off. A training session is planned for Tuesday, after which head coach Jason Kidd will be available to the media. Kidd is expected to provide an update on Doncic.
In the past regular season, he averaged 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists with shooting rates of 45.7 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from downtown. He led Dallas to 52 wins and just 30 losses, the Texans’ best record since 2010-11 (57-25). The Mavs go into the playoffs in fourth place and meet the Utah Jazz in the first round.