GAME 1 2024 Playoffs: Dallas Mavericks (0-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0)

[surfpuckmd]

It's hard to know exactly how long Luka would need to be out for him completely heal from his injury without knowing the severity of his injury.  That was what OBX was saying, not that extra rest would not help Luka heal.

Moreover, the treatment plan for a knee sprain (partial ligament tear) is rest and knee imbolization (to heal the ligament).  And yes I have medical training as well.

Derek Lively sprained his knee at the end of the season and that was his exact treatment.  His treatment plan was two to three weeks without basketball (ie. rest and imbolization).

His sprain was likely a grade one, which Iam guessing is similar to Lukas.  Othetwise, Luka wouldn't be playing on it, if it  more severe.  

Do you see Lively out there moving like your grandpa? No, you know why bc the Mavs allowed him the time for it to heal properly.

There is plenty of logic and reason to your posts.  If Luka were a high-school athlete, he would absolutely be advised to rest.

As a superstar professional athlete in a league run by superstar athletes, Luka gets to decide what he wants to do.  Luka has obviously decided that he wants to play even if the knee is clearly slowing him down.  He's an elite competitor and clearly refuses to sit during the playoffs.  If the Mavs decided to sit him against his will. there would be a lot of resentment.  The team physician who told Luka he had to rest his knee would not be the team physician next season.  

We might not win with an injured Luka playing but we're not gonna beat the Thunder without him either.  

I admire Luka's toughness and I personally prefer to have him rather than another superstar who is content to sit and rest (e.g. Kawhi).