Mavericks' Luka Doncic sidelined with bruised right knee and will miss game versus Thunder from

Mavericks' Luka Doncic to Miss Game Against Thunder With Bruised Right Knee

Key Points:

Luka Doncic sustained a bruised right knee in the Mavericks' loss to the Suns.
The injury is not considered serious, but Doncic will miss Tuesday's game against the Thunder as a precaution.
The Mavericks are hopeful that Doncic will be able to return to action soon.

Mavericks' Luka Doncic Injured

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will miss Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a bruised right knee, the team announced Monday. Doncic suffered the injury in the Mavericks' 113-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Doncic underwent an MRI on Monday, which revealed a bone bruise. The injury is not considered serious, but the Mavericks are taking a cautious approach and will hold Doncic out of Tuesday's game.

Doncic is averaging 33.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game this season. He is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA and is a key part of the Mavericks' success. The Mavericks are 9-6 with Doncic in the lineup this season and 0-2 without him.

What Does This Mean for the Mavericks?

Doncic's absence will be a big blow to the Mavericks, who are already without Kristaps Porzingis (knee). The Mavericks will need other players to step up in Doncic's absence, particularly on the offensive end.

The Mavericks have a number of players who can contribute, including Jalen Brunson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Spencer Dinwiddie. Brunson is averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game this season, while Hardaway is averaging 15.4 points per game and Dinwiddie is averaging 14.3 points per game.

The Mavericks will also need to improve their defense in Doncic's absence. The Mavericks are allowing 113.6 points per game this season, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Mavericks will need to be more physical and disciplined on defense in order to make up for Doncic's absence.

When Will Doncic Return?

The Mavericks have not announced a timetable for Doncic's return. The team is hopeful that he will be able to return to action soon, but it is possible that he could miss multiple games.

The Mavericks' next game is on Thursday against the Utah Jazz. If Doncic is unable to play in that game, the Mavericks will likely be without their two best players.