Is Luka Doncic playing tonight against Utah Jazz? All-Star gaurd's status explored for preseason game (Oct. 10)

Luka Doncic will not play in Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz. The Slovenian missed the Dallas Mavericks' preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday with a left calf contusion. The Mavericks haven't officially announced his absence, but insider Marc Stein said that Doncic won't play considering the timeline Dallas provided for his injury absence.

"He's obviously not going to play tomorrow night against Utah," Stein said on Wednesday.

The Mavericks could give a new update on Doncic's availability for the rest of the preseason games soon, though. Thursday marks exactly one week since he suffered the injury before training camp, limiting his participation.

However, according to Stein, Doncic is in the gym twice a day and was getting workouts done even on Wednesday, which was the Mavericks' off day.

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Luka Doncic voted best PG in annual NBA GM survey

Luka Doncic is considered the best point guard by NBA general managers ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. According to the annual NBA GM survey, he bagged 37% of the votes. Doncic also got 30% votes to be named as the upcoming year's MVP winner, second behind counterpart Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who got 40% of the votes.

Doncic is coming off arguably his best season in the league after making the NBA Finals for the first time. He finished third in MVP voting behind eventual winner Nikola Jokic and runner-up Shai Gilgeuous-Alexander.

Luka Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists (all career highs) in 70 games, shooting 48.7%, including 38.2% from 3 and 78.6% from the free throw line. However, the Mavericks' fifth-place finish hindered his shot at an MVP win. Jokic's Nuggets and Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder finished first and second, respectively.

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How to watch Jazz vs. Mavericks preseason game?

NBA League Pass will stream the Jazz-Mavericks game online, while KJZZ and Bally Sports Southwest will provide coverage in local areas. The game begins at 8:00 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center, the Mavericks' homecourt.

Dallas is off to a 0-1 start in preseason after losing Monday's game to the Grizzlies by 121-116. Meanwhile, the Jazz are 2-0 after beating the New Zealand Breakers 116-87 and the Houston Rockets 122-113. The Mavericks are -145 favorites to win with a -4.5-point spread.