DALLAS — The thriving Knicks are getting a break against one of their rivals.
Dark horse NBA MVP candidate Luka Doncic missed Thursday's game against the Knicks with an ankle sprain, the Mavericks announced.
The Mavericks will be without their leading scorer due to injury, placing additional responsibility on Kyrie Irving, who returned from a heel contusion last week.
A head-to-head battle between Irving and Jalen Brunson will be the highlight of the night.
Last season, Doncic had a 60-point triple-double to beat the Knicks in Dallas, helping the Mavericks erase a nine-point deficit with 33 seconds left in regulation and win the game in OT.
Doncic, 24, is averaging 33.6 points, 9.1 assists and 8.1 rebounds for the Mavericks (22-16) this season.
He would have been the latest test for OG Anunoby, who will likely be tasked with difficult defensive duties.
The Knicks (22-15) are on a five-game winning streak, the longest in the NBA.
They were swept by the Mavericks last season.
