The Dallas Mavericks have climbed an improbable journey to seat themselves in the NBA Finals. The architect of their beaming success was unsurprisingly, Luka Doncic, the franchise star. After claiming the scoring title honors in the regular season, the Slovenian has been ravishing in the postseason. He has produced miraculous performances every season despite being hobbled by a worsening knee injury. Previously he said rest was the only way for it to heal, but can it be delayed beyond tonight’s game?

With Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Doncic is the only major component of the Mavericks present on the injury report. It’s the same knee injury that has troubled the All-NBA First Team guard. Doncic suffered the injury during the first-round series against the Clippers where he also waded through a cold to knock off his arch-nemesis. He is listed as probable for tonight’s Finals clash.

Initially, the injury began to hamper his shooting motion. It led to a shooting slump for Doncic. Notably, in the Clippers series, Doncic only converted 23.9% of his three-point attempts. However, he has managed to prevail through the incessant pain in his knee and improved his shooting numbers drastically.

Even if he wasn’t probable for tonight, Luka Doncic would have rained down hell if he couldn’t play in his first-ever NBA Finals Game. The Slovenian will most likely hold the point guard spot while his elegant running mate Kyrie Irving completes the backcourt. Having a clean bill of health for the first time during the postseason, the Mavericks can return to their routine rotations during the postseason.

Here is how their depth chart might look during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics.

Luka Doncic stats versus Celtics

Luka Doncic has let his wings flutter uncontrollably, particularly against the Boston Celtics. In his career, he has faced the Celtics eleven times in the regular season. During those clashes, he has averaged 29.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. The Mavericks have a 5-6 record in those games.

In their two-game season series, the NBA’s scoring champion went to feast, notching a 30-point triple-double in both those games. But while he has flourished under the tough and battering defense of Boston, the Mavericks have lost by an average of 18.5 points. Since it’s his first NBA Finals, it will be the first time Luka Doncic has experienced the playoff heat in Boston.

It’s safe to say Dallas fans will hope Doncic’s minor injury doesn’t worsen over time and he can be at his optimal best during the course of the NBA Finals. For the Mavericks to pull off such a grand upset, they will need their ace to pick his moments and decimate the Celtics.