Dallas’ Luka Doncic will miss Sunday’s game against Heat

No, the All-Star break isn’t in November this week. But the Miami Heat (6-7) do have a rare five-day break before their next game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

The Mavericks received an unfortunate injury update, as superstar guard Luka Doncic will miss at least the next week with a right wrist sprain, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was among the first to report.

Dallas has one game on Friday against the Denver Nuggets before its trip to Kaseya Center. Their injury report has not been released yet.

Doncic last played Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, tallying 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals across 30 minutes. He converted on 10 of his 16 shot attempts, including 3-of-8 from 3-point range and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line. For the season, the former No. 3 overall pick is averaging 28.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists, shooting 43.5 percent from the floor, 32.4 percent from distance and 78.3 percent from the charity stripe.

The Mavericks are a pedestrian 8-7 to begin the season, though they place in the top-7 in adjusted NET Rating (+4.8; 6th), offense (115.9; 4th) and defense (111.7; 7th), according to Dunks & Threes. For perspective, the Miami Heat rank No. 17, 17 and 13 in those three areas, respectively.

Since the start of the 2022-23 season, the Dallas Mavericks are 10-19 in games that Doncic hasn’t played, sporting a dismal minus-7.2 NET Rating. Since Kyrie Irving’s arrived, however, they’re 8-4 with a 2.6 NET.

It’s unclear whether or not the Heat will be at full strength Sunday. Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle sprain), Josh Richardson (heel) and Terry Rozier (foot) didn’t practice Thursday, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Though the MRI for Rozier’s foot came back negative and expects to return to practice Friday.

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