Luka Doncic injury: Mavericks' $3,303,771 guard makes feelings known on "MVP's" return 

Mavericks fans are eagerly anticipating Luka Doncic's injury return, and so are the team's players. Spencer Dinwiddie, who returned this past summer on a one-year $3,303,771 deal, gave a unique perspective on how he views Doncic's absence as the team braced for the 2024 NBA Finals rematch with the Boston Celtics on Saturday.

After the Mavericks beat the Western Conference-leading OKC Thunder despite multiple key players, including Doncic and Dereck Lively II, on the sidelines, the optimism surrounding the slumping Dallas team picked up. Dinwiddie picked it up a notch with his thoughts on Doncic's potential comeback as the trade deadline nears.

"As long as we stay within striking distance, we’re going to have basically the best trade-deadline acquisition anybody could have: Bring the MVP back," Dinwiddie said after Dallas beat OKC on Thursday (h/t Sportskeeda's Grant Afseth).

Dinwiddie compared Doncic's return to a trade deadline acquisition, revisiting how the Mavericks, in 2022 and 2024, drastically turned their season around after making key signings. Three years ago, he was among the players who elevated the Mavericks and bolstered their run to the conference finals. In 2024, the Mavericks added P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, elevating them to make an NBA Finals run.

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What's the latest update on Luka Doncic's injury return?

Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Dallas Mavericks announced on Dec. 28 that he would be re-evaluated in one month.

On Jan. 14, TNT reported that Doncic was weeks away from returning. However, the Mavericks were confident he would be in action before the All-Star break, which begins on Feb. 14. That was the latest update on Doncic's return.

Since then, notable developments have occurred regarding Luka Doncic's recovery progress. He's been spotted at shootarounds working on his shots and doing light work.

Meanwhile, Jason Kidd issued positive news on Wednesday, saying Doncic was trending in the right direction and "doing everything" he was supposed to do amid his rehab.

The Mavericks are 24-21, seventh in the West. Before Doncic's injury, they were 19-10 before their Christmas Day matchup against the Timberwolves. Dallas remains a threat in the West despite its slump since. They have arguably been a top-two team in the conference when healthy and are expected to reach those levels once Doncic is 100% ready to contribute.