Luka Doncic makes big admission ahead of Game 5

Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) brings the ball up court against the LA Clippers during the first quarter during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic made a big admission while speaking with the media ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Dallas Mavericks’ Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Doncic told reporters at the Mavericks’ shootaround on Wednesday that he has been sick for 5-6 days with a lingering upper respiratory illness. He’s had a cough and congestion that hasn’t gone away. On top of that, Doncic has been trying to deal with a knee that he hurt in Game 3.

Doncic admitted to reporters that if it were the regular season, he wouldn’t be playing in the game.

Doncic is still sick, didn’t do much in shootaround. He has been sick for nearly a week and admits that if this was a regular season game he probably wouldn’t play. pic.twitter.com/tTmK8oeJXs

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) May 1, 2024

Doncic’s Mavericks are tied 2-2 with the Clippers in their series. The Mavs are the lower-seeded team in the series, meaning the Clippers have home court for Games 5 and 7.

Despite his injury and illness, Doncic has averaged 29 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game through four playoff contests this season.