The world may have to wait until half-hour before tip to see if Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will play in the home opener against the Jazz Saturday, six days after suffering a left calf strain.The ProBasketballDocs – including former Chicago Bulls team doctor John Hefferon – believe that Doncic will attempt to play through the injury on Saturday, although he will be limited.Doncic will enter the playoffs with an SIC Health Score of 71, indicating that he will be far less than 100%, especially on defense. The 23-year-old underwent an MRI on Monday and was seen by a fan at the hospital before the exam in a walking boot. While the team is being increasingly coy about Doncic’s status, Adrian Wojnarowski said Tuesday on ESPN that the injury is more than a minor strain.If this was the regular season, there would reportedly be no discussion about whether he would play this weekend.Because of his size, skill, and feel for the game, Doncic will likely withstand the diminished quickness and burst the Docs expect.He will still be able to get shots off and make the expert-level passes that make his game so special, but he may be limited off the dribble and less explosive.Fellow table-setters Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie will likely have to shoulder some of the load. The major concern, however, will be on the defensive end. Doncic is come-and-go on that side of the ball, but has improved his effort this season, averaging a career-high 1.8 combined blocks and steals with 3.8 defensive win shares. Doncic has historically posted voluminous stats in the postseason, averaging 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists on 24.7 shots with a .494/.392/.600 split.The fourth year point guard will get his first action in the playoffs since 2020-21. The Mavericks were eliminated in the first round during his first two trips to the postseason.Dallas opens as 4.5-point underdogs for Saturday's matchup with the Jazz and the over/under is 214.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.