Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić is available for Game 3 of Sunday’s Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves after entering warmups with a questionable title.
Head coach Jason Kidd told reporters before the warm-up that Dončić was doubtful due to right knee pain. The team announced after the warm-up that Dončić was cleared to play. Forwards Maxi Kleber (shoulder) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) are listed as out.
Dončić has been dealing with a lingering knee sprain for much of the playoffs. He walked gingerly when he showed up for Sunday’s game at the American Airlines Center.
Dončić, an MVP finalist, is in the midst of a spectacular playoff run. Regular season scoring champion Dončić is averaging 28 points, 9.4 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 14 games. He clinched Friday’s Game 2 win over the Timberwolves with a step-back 3-pointer over Rudy Gobert in the final seconds of the game.
The Mavericks enter Sunday’s game with a chance to secure a commanding series lead at home. They took a 2-0 lead with wins in Minnesota. A win on Sunday night would give them a 3-0 lead with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.
