Mavs Coach Jason Kidd Says 2-1 Series Lead Won’t Impact Decision On Doncic’s Return
Apr 22, 2022, 1:13 PM
Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the first half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is still waiting to see when his star player Luka Doncic will return to the lineup in the series against the Jazz.
It’s a daily question for Jason Kidd on when Luka Doncic will be available to play in the postseason. Kidd spoke to the media on Friday about the progression Doncic is making after suffering a calf strain in their regular season finale.
“He’s in good spirits,” Kidd said. “We’ll go through shootaround here and see how he feels.”
Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic’s Game 4 status: “Optimistic? That’s a good word.” He says Mavs’ 2-1 series lead has no impact on decision about when Doncic returns from calf strain. pic.twitter.com/6Hyood9Cd9
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 22, 2022
It’s been floating around on social media (outside of the Mavericks organization) that they shouldn’t play Doncic until Game 5, especially with a 2-1 series lead and the momentum on their side. Kidd said that it doesn’t have an impact at all on the decision making.
“No, where we are in the series does not have any effect on if he plays or doesn’t play,” Kidd stated.
Doncic spoke to the media on Friday and told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that he will do some 5-on-5 scrimmaging for the second straight day but doesn’t know yet if he’ll be available for Game 4.
Luka Doncic will do some 5-on-5 scrimmaging for the second straight day. He says he doesn’t know yet if he’ll get the green light for Game 4.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 22, 2022
Jalen Brunson has filled in nicely for Doncic, scoring 72 points in the last two games of the series, including 41 points in Game 2 and 31 points in Game 3. Maxi Kleber has also been a big part of Dallas’ success from beyond the arc in the last two contests, making 12-of-16 from deep and posting 42 points during that stretch. His shooting has forced the Jazz to play small ball at times in Game 3.
Game 4 will be on Saturday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m. MT on TNT, AT&T SportsNet and FuboTV. The game can be heard on The Zone Sports Network and KSL Newsradio.
