Three things to Know: Dončić, Durant, Zion, injuries dominate West playoff chase

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This is worrisome: When asked after the game how he felt, Luka Dončić said, “It’s not good.”

Dončić was clearly slowed all game Wednesday by a thigh issue, something he admitted after the game he had been playing through for about a week (via Andrew Lopez at ESPN) — “I think it was the second game after the All-Star break… This one, I didn’t get hit.”

Non-contact injuries are the most concerning. Dončić left the game in the third quarter not to return and will get an MRI on Thursday to better understand what is causing the thigh pain.

The Mavericks catch a little break because they are off until Saturday when they will face the shorthanded Grizzlies.

With or without Dončić, the Mavericks’ defense is terrible and the Pelicans took full advantage. CJ McCollum scored 32 points — 16 straight at one point — and the Pelicans picked up a needed 113-106 win as they fight to make the play-in.

CJ McCollum scored 16 straight points in the clutch Wednesday night to secure the Pelicans W