Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic 'feeling good' after practice, fueling hope for Game 3 return

DALLAS — Superstar guard Luka Doncic participated fully in the Dallas Mavericks' practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his left calf, fueling hope that he could be cleared to play as soon as Game 3 on Thursday against the Utah Jazz.

Doncic, who suffered the injury in the April 10 regular-season finale, has been gradually ramping up basketball activities and made explosive moves off of his left leg for the first time during the recovery process in an individual workout Tuesday. He said he was «feeling good» when he played some 1-on-1 on Wednesday, but the Mavs did not do any live scrimmaging during the practice.

«We shouldn't rush anything, but step by step, I think I'm doing a lot,» Doncic said. «I'm getting ready.»

Doncic and Mavs coach Jason Kidd said a decision would be made on Doncic's Game 3 status on Thursday. Dallas player and health performance director Casey Smith will have significant input in the decision, which will be made in large part based on whether Doncic is at risk of aggravating the injury, which likely would force him to miss the remainder of the playoffs.

«If there's going to be risk, I don't think I'm going to play,» Doncic said. «But like I say, yesterday and today we did some good things. If it's not risk, I don't want to play limited minutes because I'll be nervous. I want to be out there the most time as possible, but like I say, I'm going to see how I feel and we're going to talk to the medical staff.

»I don't know if I'm going to be 100 percent. I think that's tough right now. But if I'm ready and there's no risk of [aggravating the] injury, I'll be out there."

The Western Conference first-round series is tied as it shifts to Salt Lake City. The Mavs evened the series with a