Luka Doncic has been downgraded to questionable for Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Doncic has been banged up all postseason while playing through a knee injury and ankle soreness. He has been added to the official NBA injury report with a thoracic contusion ahead of Game 2.
JUST IN: Luka Doncic has been downgraded from probable to questionable, due to a thoracic contusion, ahead of tonight’s Game 2 pic.twitter.com/MOJAn4d0J0
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) June 9, 2024
According to multiple reports, Doncic was seen grabbing his torso during practice on Saturday. Despite fighting through injuries since April, Doncic hasn't missed a game in the playoffs.
The Mavericks are the popular pick for Game 2, both outright and against the spread. According to John Ewing at BetMGM, the Mavericks are getting 70% of the money to cover the 6.5-point spread and 56% of the money to win Game 2 and tie the series.
The Mavericks haven't lost two games in a row these playoffs; they are 5-0 straight up and against the spread when coming off a loss. However, history isn't on the Mavericks' side in this spot. The Mavericks were blown out in Game 1 after losing by 18 points to the Celtics. Teams coming off a loss of 15 points or more in the NBA Finals are 11-16 straight up and 14-13 against the spread.
If Doncic is unable to play (which would be shocking considering the stage), the Mavericks' chances of heading back to Dallas with a 1-1 split become even more unlikely.
