Mavericks forward Luka Doncic made his return from a sprained right ankle on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs.
Doncic has missed the past four games and was listed as questionable before he started Thursday’s game. He ranks third in the NBA with 29.3 points and 8.9 assists per game, and he also averages 9.6 rebounds.
He was a full participant in the Mavericks’ practice Tuesday, and the team wanted to monitor how his ankle had responded.
The Mavericks have gone 2-2 in Doncic’s absence.
Doncic injured the ankle when he stepped on the foot of Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn while driving to the basket in the opening minutes of the Mavs’ double-overtime loss on Dec. 14. The ankle rolled over so far that it touched the hardwood, and the Mavs felt fortunate that X-rays were negative and Doncic was diagnosed with a lateral ankle sprain.