DALLAS — All-Star guard Luka Doncic sat out the Dallas Mavericks‘ game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night because of tightness in his lower back.
“He’s getting treatment, working on it,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “He will travel. Hope he’s available [Saturday].”
The Mavericks play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
Doncic is fifth in the NBA in scoring at 28.6 points per game, 18th in rebounding at 8.3 and fourth in assists at 9.1. He was a first-team All-NBA selection last season, one year after being named Rookie of the Year. He has started the past two All-Star Games.
Doncic has missed two previous games this season because of injury and one for rest, with Dallas going 1-2 in those games. Back tightness previously kept him out of the Mavericks’ victory over Oklahoma City on March 3, their final game before the All-Star break.