<
        >

          Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic in NBA protocols before Christmas game

          • Adrian Wojnarowski
          • Tim MacMahon
            Close
            Tim MacMahon
            ESPN Staff Writer
            • Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
            • Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
            • Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM
            Follow on X
          Dec 22, 2021, 02:42 PM ET

          Dallas Mavericks All-NBA guard Luka Doncic has entered the league's health and safety protocols, threatening the loss of another league star for its slate of Christmas Day games.

          Doncic and guard Trey Burke entered protocols on Wednesday, joining teammates Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber and Josh Green on the sideline.

          The Mavericks play Milwaukee on Thursday and Utah on Saturday night in Salt Lake City in the final of ESPN/ABC's five Christmas Day games.

          Players have to return consecutive negative tests in a 24-hour period or be sidelined for 10 days before they can resume play.

          Doncic had missed five straight games with what the team said was a sore ankle, but there were plans for him to return Thursday against the Bucks.