The NBA preseason is underway and fans and analysts alike have started to dissect and draw conclusions from limited games. The Dallas Mavericks have started the preseason really poorly, with three losses from three games played. Some fans are already writing off the Mavericks before the start of the season. Fans were left puzzled after Luka Doncic was only allowed to play for five minutes, as Dallas faced his former team, Real Madrid.

The Mavs start to the preseason goes from start to worse, as the reason behind Luka’s five-minute cameo against Madrid comes to light.

Luka Suffering from a Calf Injury

The Dallas Mavericks have started the NBA preseason in a very disconcerting way. Last season, the Mavs disappointed, as they failed to qualify for the postseason after they collapsed post-NBA All-Star weekend. The Mavs had two of the best players in the league and still missed out on the playoffs. The fans hoped that the two superstars could work on their chemistry issues over the offseason. Preseason provided fans an opportunity to see the progress the two superstars have made so far.

But Kyrie has only played fourteen minutes in all three games combined.

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The Mavs started the preseason in dismal form, as they have lost all three of their preseason games. Luka only played five minutes against his former team, Real Madrid. And to add insult to injury (quite literally), according to NBA reporter, Marc Stein, the Mavs took this measure to stop Luka from aggravating his injury. Stein said, “The Mavericks tell [Bally Sports Southwest] they will have to limit Luka Doncic to roughly five minutes of playing time in his Real Madrid homecoming game due to a left calf strain. Doncic desperately wanted to play more, I’m told, but Dallas established this limit to be ultra cautious”. ESPN has also reported that hip pain started to bother Luka during practice on Monday.

Can Luka Turn Mavs’ Fortune Around?

The Mavericks would be hoping that Luka’s injury is not serious, as hopes of a title charge rest on his shoulders. After a full offseason, the chemistry between Luka and Kyrie should have improved. They are two of the best offensive players in the league and any team in the league would be wary of facing them.

Watch: Luka Doncic Smiles in Pain as 5’11 Ex-NBA Player Shatters Hearts with a Dagger on Mavericks

Problem with the Mavs lies on the defensive end. They traded away their best perimeter defender in Dorian Finney Smith to the Brooklyn Nets. The Mavs also didn’t have anyone to protect the rim. Dallas has added Grant Williams and Richuan Holmes in the free agency which will go a long way in solving some of the Mavs defensive problems. But the roster needs more tweaking if they want to compete for the title. The fair expectation for the Mavs this season would be to secure a playoffs spot in a very competitive Western Conference. Can the Mavs reach the postseason? Let us know in the comments below!

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