Mavs-Nuggets preview: Dončić out for three-game trip

The Mavericks believe they have one of the deepest teams in the NBA.

That depth will be tested in a major way in the next week.

Luka Dončić had an MRI exam that revealed a sprain to his right wrist that he suffered in Tuesday’s win over New Orleans.

The superstar guard will be evaluated in a week, meaning that he will miss the three-game trip that begins Friday night in Denver and Wednesday’s home game against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.

“Injuries are part of sport and unfortunately he’s had a couple here early and hopefully that means he won’t have any after this,” coach Jason Kidd said Thursday. “Hopefully he’s clean for the rest of the way.

“We just had him out against Oklahoma City. We’ll put our best foot forward. We’ll be fine in the sense that this won’t be new. A lot of minutes for a lot of guys and then understanding Kai (Kyrie Irving) and Klay (Thompson), we’ll lean on those guys to carry us. But we believe (other) guys will be able to pick up some of the slack with L. out.”

Kidd mentioned Jaden Hardy and Quentin Grimes, but it’s also going to fall on centers Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Lively missed the 122-120 loss earlier this month in Denver. Gafford had 16 points and seven rebounds.

“There’s going to be a lot on Kai and a lot on Klay but I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job when Luka has been off the floor,” Gafford said. “The strategy is still the same.

“We don’t want bad health ever sneaking in. But stuff happens. Everybody’s got their heads on their shoulders and we’re all playing together. That’s the main thing.”

Gafford also said Irving will have no trouble handling the added responsibilities, whatever they might be. He had 43 points in the first game at Denver.

“He’s been in the league 14 years. He understands it,” Gafford said. “And he helps us find ways to make plays for ourselves, too.”

Said Thompson: “He’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever played with. He’s a three-point contest champion and he’s incredibly efficient. I mean, just look at his career numbers. It’s ridiculous.”

The Mavericks will need that in their shorthanded state.

Here’s what else to look for against Denver on Friday:

• The race for the 2024 Cup Nights is ongoing and this will be the third of four group-play games for the Mavericks. If they have any designs on making the knockout round, they must win this one. They are 1-1 in the Western Conference’s Group C. Golden State is 2-0, Denver and New Orleans 1-1 and Memphis is 0-2. Given the Mavericks’ 41-point win over the Pelicans on Tuesday, they could conceivably get into the knockout rounds with a 3-1 record. Margin of victory in The Cup games is the second tiebreaker after head-to-head matchups.
• It seems like the Mavericks were just at Ball Arena. Because they were. They started their last extended trip with a 122-120 heartbreaker to the Nuggets on Nov. 10. Irving had 43 points but the Mavericks were victimized by 37 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists by Nikola Jokic.
• This is a rather circuitous trip. After Denver, the Mavericks will use Saturday as a travel day to Miami, where they play the Heat Sunday. The trip wraps up on Monday at Atlanta.
• The Mavericks are preparing for defenses to take dead aim at Irving with Luka sidelined. “We expect there will be double teams from here on out until Luka gets back,” Kidd said. “I think the group is prepared to understand what’s coming. Especially what Kai did in Denver the last time. We’ll be prepared for the double teams. I think he’ll be up for the challenge.”
• The Nuggets will definitely be without one starter as forward Aaron Gordon is out with a calf injury. Jokic has missed the past three games for personal reasons but could return against the Mavericks.

MAVERICKS (8-7) at DENVER NUGGETS (8-5)

WHEN: 9 p.m., Friday

WHERE: Ball Arena, Denver

TV: KFAA-29, Mavs StreamTV, ESPN

RADIO: KEGL 97.1 FM, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @ESEfko