Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (ankle) starts Game 4; Kristaps Porzingis out – ESPN

Doncic balanced 35.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists while the Mavs and Clippers split the first two games of the series. He had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 helps in Game 3, becoming the third-youngest player in NBA history to tape-record a playoff triple-double, behind only Magic Johnson and LeBron James. Carlisle said Doncic did not worsen the sprain by playing a couple of minutes to begin the 4th quarter. After evaluating Doncic and retaping his ankle, Casey Smith, Dallas director of player health and performance, informed Carlisle that Doncic wished to go back to the game, however it was rapidly apparent that Doncics movement was significantly compromised.
Doncic gestured to the Dallas bench that he required to leave the game. He knocked over his chair in frustration before returning to the locker space area with Smith.
” I simply wanted to get in,” stated Doncic, who was 4-of-14 from the field in the loss. “We still had an opportunity to win and to help my teammates. Obviously, I could still run a little bit, however I couldnt push off my left leg, so it was much better to head out and to let someone else play.”
Clippers guard Patrick Beverley is out for Game 4 with a left calf strain.

He experienced irritation in his right knee earlier this week and was listed as doubtful for Game 2.

Porzingis, who was ejected early in the 3rd quarter of the Mavs Game 1 loss, is averaging 23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 block per game in his very first playoff series. He had 34 points and 13 rebounds in the Mavs Game 3 loss.
Doncic had an MRI on Saturday, with a source informing ESPN that it revealed “nothing worrying.” Another source said Doncic is experiencing “very little” swelling.
Doncic went down after rolling his ankle while protecting Kawhi Leonard on a drive to the basket with 3:58 left in the 3rd quarter. He instantly got his left ankle. After being assisted to his feet, Doncic got on his ideal foot off the floor and up the tunnel.
After getting the ankle retaped, Doncic returned at the beginning of the 4th quarter and was plainly hobbled before leaving with 9:02 left. The Mavs announced minutes later on that Doncic would not return.
” Its not that bad,” Doncic, who missed 11 video games this season after twice spraining his ideal ankle, said after Game 3. “Honestly, I had luck its my left ankle.

Dallas Mavericks big guy Kristaps Porzingis was a last-minute scratch for Sundays Game 4 against the LA Clippers due to best knee pain.
Star guard Luka Doncic, who sprained his left ankle in Friday nights Game 3 loss, heated up about an hour and a half before Game 4 before the choice was produced him to play. He started the video game.
Porzingis was noted on the injury report as possible, but the injury pointed out was a left heel contusion.
Porzingis, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while betting the New York Knicks in February 2018, has handled ideal knee soreness on and off throughout this season. He missed 10 video games in late December and January due to the concern. He experienced irritation in his right knee previously this week and was listed as doubtful for Game 2.

” Its not that bad,” Doncic, who missed out on 11 games this season after twice spraining his right ankle, stated after Game 3. Doncic balanced 35.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 8.0 helps while the Mavs and Clippers divided the first 2 video games of the series. He had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 helps in Game 3, becoming the third-youngest gamer in NBA history to tape a playoff triple-double, behind only Magic Johnson and LeBron James. After evaluating Doncic and retaping his ankle, Casey Smith, Dallas director of gamer health and performance, notified Carlisle that Doncic wanted to return to the game, however it was quickly apparent that Doncics mobility was significantly compromised.