Jason Kidd discusses Luka Doncic's thigh injury and role before new season / News - Basketnews.com

Jason Kidd is optimistic about Luka Doncic's recovery for the upcoming NBA season: "I think hopefully, as we go forward here, that he will be ready to go."

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic recently wrapped up his heavy-duty participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. However, concerns linger about his thigh injury that troubled him late last season.

Luka Doncic

Position:SGAge:24Height:201 cmWeight:104 kgBirth place:Ljubljana, SloveniaProfileNewsStatistics

Before the Mavs kick off their training camp on September 27, head coach Jason Kidd joined Marc Stein to discuss Doncic's situation.

"I think hopefully, as we go forward here, that he will be ready to go," Kidd said. "I presume that sometimes in our career, we are not 100 percent. Maybe we're 99 or 95 percent. The more games you play, the longer your career, I think you can ask anyone. No one's really 100 percent.

Kidd also emphasized the team's depth and their aim not to overburden Doncic with minutes.

"Now, looking at our roster, hopefully, we don't have to play him 40 or more minutes per night," Kidd added. "With the depth that we have, I thought Nico [Harrison] did an incredible job this summer, but I'm excited with Luka and Kyrie Irving, and having Luka ready to go and achieve his goals, and that's to win a championship."

After Slovenia's 100-84 loss to Lithuania in the FIBA World Cup, Doncic expressed his ongoing concern about his thigh injury, revealing, "It's not okay."

Despite his discomfort, he played 37 minutes against Lithuania on the second night of a back-to-back and logged 38 minutes in his World Cup finale against Italy.

In Doncic's own words, "I do not know what to say. It's not okay. At the same time, I have to prepare for one more game, and then for a whole season in the NBA."

The Mavericks are sceduled to start their NBA season on October 25, facing the San Antonio Spurs with the addition of the reigning No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama to the team.

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