Mavericks’ Luka Doncic has thumb sprain but cleared to play

Luka Doncic received the green light from the Dallas Mavericks to play on Tuesday after testing his injured left thumb.

Doncic participated in parts of Monday’s practice with a bandage on his thumb and was diagnosed with a sprain. He had X-rays at halftime of Dallas’ win Saturday against the LA Clippers.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Monday that the MRI showed a “low-grade” sprain.

Doncic said he was injured in the first quarter while stealing the ball from James Harden, when his thumb touched Harden’s knee. Doncic stayed in the game and scored 30 points in 38 minutes.

The Mavericks host the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

Doncic is averaging 30.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 16 games.