DALLAS – Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle isn’t sure if rookie forward Luka Doncic will be able to play in Tuesday’s home game against the Washington Wizards.
“Doncic did not practice with a sore (right) ankle,” Carlisle said after Sunday’s practice at the Lympo practice facilities. “I don’t know what his status will be for (practice) tomorrow or the game on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, guard Devin Harris practiced on Sunday. Harris hasn’t practiced since straining his left hamstring on opening day against the Phoenix Suns.
“He got through a lot of (practice),” Carlisle said. “We’ll see where he is tomorrow and how much he can do tomorrow before we even begin to talk about the possibility of him playing Tuesday.”
Doncic scored 18 points in 35 minutes during Friday’s 118-106 loss to the New York Knicks. The rookie from Slovenia was 8-of-15 from the field, distributed six assists and also pulled down a career-high tying nine rebounds.
“He’s unique as an NBA rookie because he’s been a professional for six years already (in the EuroLeague),” Carlisle said. “That is an advantage for him coming into this.
“He’s played in a lot of high stakes competition both in the EuroLeague and internationally with Slovenia. Those games with the national team are high pressure games for national pride, and it’s a big deal. He’s got quite a bit different level of experience when it comes to that, which has helped him here.”
Doncic was the third pick of last June’s NBA Draft and currently leads the Mavs in scoring (19.4 points), and is second in rebounding (6.6 rebounds) and assists (4.6 assists).
“He’s a great kid, we love him, we’ve thrilled to have had the chance to draft him,” Carlisle said. “Right now he’s dealing with an ankle situation that we hope we can resolve quickly.”
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