On December 27th, Beijing time, we continue to focus on the NBA league. In the Christmas Day game between the Mavericks and the Timberwolves, Doncic suffered a calf injury in the second quarter and had to withdraw from the game. Subsequently, after examination by medical institutions, it was confirmed that Doncic suffered a left calf strain and will undergo a re-examination in a month.
Before leaving the game, Doncic played for 16 minutes, shooting 9 of 5, 3-pointers 5 of 3, free throws 1 of 1, scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Currently, the Mavericks are ranked fourth in the West with a record of 19 wins and 11 losses. Irving just said they were building a dynasty, but now Doncic is injured, which will have a significant impact on the team's performance. The situation in the West changes every day, and with their star player out for at least a month, the Mavericks are likely to fall behind.
Let's also pay attention to the Lakers, which makes fans very helpless. According to NBA reporters, the Lakers missed a rare opportunity before the trade window. Originally, the Lakers had a chance to get Valanciunas, similar to the Warriors and Schroder's trade, almost a sure thing. However, unfortunately, at a critical moment, the Lakers failed to act in time and missed the opportunity to trade with Valanciunas. Currently, the distance between the Lakers and Valanciunas is growing further apart, and fans are very disappointed.
But for now, the Lakers have to focus on Vucevic of the Bulls. This season, he averages 21 points, 9.8 rebounds, and three-pointers, with a shooting percentage close to 50%. He even scored 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in a recent game against the Spurs. For Vucevic's performance, the Bulls did not overprice.
Vucevic's current contract salary is $20 million, which is a great attraction for championship-contending teams. The Lakers are eager to strengthen their frontcourt and are actively pursuing the combination of Davis and Vucevic. However, the Lakers will have to give up their first-round pick to get Vucevic. Pelinka is also willing to make moves in the free market and is willing to offer three first-round picks for a good player. Currently, the Lakers are in the leading position for Vucevic's next destination and are actively discussing it. We also hope that the Lakers will not hesitate anymore and seize the opportunity when they see it, otherwise they will miss it again and miss a great opportunity to win the championship.