Luka Doncic (hamstring) exits as triple-double streak ends

ByTIM MACMAHON
March 14, 2024, 8:09 AM

DALLAS -- Mavericks superstar  Luka Doncic's streak of seven straight triple-doubles was snapped Wednesday, when he exited a 109-99 win over the Golden State Warriors early due to left hamstring soreness.

Doncic finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists before checking out with 6:46 remaining in the game. The Mavs announced soon afterward that he would not return.

Doncic had a heating pad on his left hamstring prior to checking into the game 22 seconds earlier. He exited during the timeout after he threw an alley-oop to center Daniel Gafford, wincing when he landed awkwardly. He informed coach Jason Kidd that he needed to leave the game and headed to the locker room.

"He just gave me a signal that his hamstring was tight, so we took him out," Kidd said.

The Mavs, who have won four in a row, travel to Oklahoma City to play the second game of a back-to-back Thursday night.

Kidd said he wasn't sure if Doncic would make the trip to Oklahoma City. 

"We'll have a better answer [Thursday]," Kidd said. "This is a fluid thing. This thing is being talked about now."

Doncic, who was still receiving treatment after his teammates had left the arena, did not speak to the media.

During the streak, Doncic set NBA records for the most consecutive triple-doubles with at least 35 points (five) and 30 points (six).

One historic streak remains intact for the Mavs: Gafford has made 33 consecutive field goal attempts over a five-game span after going 5-for-5 with five dunks in the win over the Warriors. Wilt Chamberlain owns the NBA record for consecutive made field goals with 35.

"I try to tell myself not to just worry about it," said Gafford, who had 10 points, 6 rebounds and a season-high 7 blocks in 26 minutes. "Because if I do it, that's good, and I'm going to celebrate it, of course. But in the end, I just want to come out and win games. I'll worry about the record afterward."