Is Luka Doncic playing tonight against Kings? Latest injury report on Mavericks’ superstar ahead of matchup (April 5, 2023)

By Michael Macasero

Modified Apr 05, 2023 16:54 GMT

Luka Doncic vowed to play on Wednesday night for the Dallas Mavericks against the Sacramento Kings.

Luka Doncic is on the Dallas Mavericks’ injury report as probable for Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. Doncic’s status on the said form may not matter as he has vowed to play versus the Kings.

Here’s what “Luka Legend” had to say about his availability when Dallas hosts Sacramento:

“I’m playing tomorrow. When there’s still a chance, I’m going to play.”

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The Slovenian superstar spoke to the media after practice yesterday and told reporters that he wasn’t going to sit out.

The Mavericks hold a 37-42 record and are in 11th place in the Western Conference. Reports surfaced yesterday that Dallas was seriously considering shutting down Doncic and co-superstar Kyrie Irving.

Doncic voiced his disappointment in front of reporters covering the Dallas Mavericks but also insisted giving up is not an option:

“It’s disappointing, obviously, being in the conference finals last year to be trying to get into the play-in, it’s a very disappointing season, I think.

"After All-Star, I think we were, like, fourth in the West. I think it was pretty good. Since then, things (went) a little downhill. There’s plenty of reasons, but we’re still trying to get in.”

Also read: "Anybody can score on us"- Luka Doncic doesn't think Kyrie Irving is the reason for the Mavs' potential exit from the playoffs

Luka Doncic needs to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a sweep of their three remaining games

The Dallas Mavericks (37-42) don’t hold the fate of the team in their hands. They need the 10th-place OKC Thunder (38-42) to stumble as well.

Luka Doncic's team needs to beat the Sacramento Kings tonight, the Chicago Bulls on Friday and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. They will also have to hope the Thunder don't sweep their remaining two games.

Dallas can't afford to have the same win-loss slate as Oklahoma after the regular-season ends, as the Thunder will earn the last play-in ticket. OKC is 2-1 against the Mavericks this season.

The Mavericks can no longer overtake the ninth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (40-40). If the Wolves lose their last two games, they will still go through even if Dallas goes undefeated in their last three games. Minnesota, like the OKC Thunder, owns the tiebreak over Luka Doncic and crew.

The Dallas Mavericks, after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, couldn't contain their excitement for the future. 10 months later, that future has never been bleaker as they could fail to even make the play-in tournament.