Report: Luka Doncic Expected to Miss Mavericks' Game 1 vs. Jazz with Calf Injury

According to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, Luka Doncic is expected to miss the first game of the Mavericks first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz with a strained calf.

He has been a leader for the Mavericks all season. During the regular season, he averaged 28.4 points, 9.1 rebound and 8.7 assists while shooting 45.7 percent from the floor and 35.3% from deep. His performance earned him an All-Star selection for the third year in a row.

The Mavericks suffer when Doncic is missing, as the offense runs through him. Dallas went 8-9 in his absence and had to rely on other players.

During the regular season, Doncic averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebound and 4.8 assists, while Brunson averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebound and 4.8 assists.

The Mavericks also brought in Spencer Dinwiddie, who was acquired from the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline.

If Dallas wants to make a deep postseason run in a difficult Western Conference that includes the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies, it will need Doncic to remain healthy moving forward.