Doncic suffers neck injury, but remains optimistic: 'I will be OK in a couple of days' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Luka Doncic registered 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Dallas Mavericks, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped by 2021 NBA finalists Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Luka Doncic

MIN:35.1PTS:25.19 (50.71%)REB:8.74As:8.71ST:1.16BL:0.45TO:4.58GM:31ProfileNBA2021/2022

However, the Mavs' second loss in the last 12 games had some other ramifications, involving their marquee player.

According to ESPN, the Slovenian superstar reported a sore neck due to a hard fall after a drive to the basket, but he was optimistic that he would not miss any time due to the injury."It's my neck. It's the spine," he said. "When I fall down, I hit my back. It's pretty sore right now."

The fall was caused when Doncic landed on his back after absorbing contact from Suns center Bismack Biyombo with one minute remaining in the third quarter. During the timeout that followed, the 22-year-old was grabbing the back of his neck.

After consulting with the Mavs' athletic training staff, Doncic applied a heat pack to his neck before re-entering the game with 7:25 remaining and playing until the end of it.

"I think it's a little worse because it's the spine," Doncic said. "But it'll be OK in a couple of days."

Doncic added he would get "a lot of massages and steam room" over the next few days to prepare for Sunday's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

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