Mavericks hope Luka Doncic will return Thursday vs. Bucks

The Mavericks are hoping to have All-Star point guard Luka Doncic back on the floor as soon as Thursday against the Bucks, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN .

Doncic has been unavailable for the Mavericks’ past four games as a result of a sore left ankle, and will miss his fifth straight tonight against the Timberwolves. The 6-foot-7 fourth-year guard, a two-time All-Star, will be sidelined for his ninth overall contest of the young season.

Despite kicking off the 2021-22 NBA season out of shape, Doncic has been his typically effective self for Dallas when available. Over 21 games, the 22-year-old is averaging 25.6 points, 8.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds.

The Mavericks are 14-15 overall and 2-6 without Doncic. Dallas is currently the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference standings, a far cry from the team’s more competitive preseason expectations.