DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have suffered a significant blow with Kyrie Irving diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee. This injury will keep him off the court for the remainder of the season. This setback is another disappointment for a team that recently traded its superstar, Luka Doncic.
The team announced Irving’s injury on Tuesday, following his unfortunate fall during the first quarter of Dallas’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings. After falling awkwardly, Irving managed to shoot two free throws, tears streaming down his face, before leaving the game.
The injury happened when Irving was fouled while driving to the basket. His right foot caught the foot of Jonas Valanciunas from the Kings, causing him to lose balance and land harshly on his left leg. Many noticed his knee appeared to hyperextend as he hit the ground.
Just last month, the Mavericks lost 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to a groin injury in his debut after the controversial trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving’s presence had been one of the main reasons Dallas felt confident in that trade, despite the backlash from fans.
With Irving out, he is expected to be recovering when teams return for training camp in the 2025-26 season. He has a $44 million player option for the upcoming season, adding uncertainty to his future with the Mavericks.
“Kyrie is the heart and soul of this team,” said general manager Nico Harrison. He emphasized Irving’s dedication and how he has become part of the Dallas community. Harrison acknowledged the criticism he’s faced regarding the recent trade decisions.
Irving’s determination was evident when he insisted on shooting the free throws after his injury. The moment mirrored the bravery of the late Kobe Bryant, who famously made critical foul shots despite a severe injury. “That’s just who Kai is,” coach Jason Kidd said, highlighting Irving’s toughness.
This injury comes at a tough time for the Mavericks as they struggle to maintain their playoff position. Currently, they sit at 10th in the Western Conference, just making the play-in tournament. Just nine months ago, Irving and Doncic led the team to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years, a journey that ended with a loss to Boston.
Irving earned his ninth All-Star nod this season, averaging 24.7 points and shooting 40% from beyond the arc. Alongside him, Davis is one of three key players missing from the Mavericks’ roster due to injuries, creating further challenges for the team. Center Daniel Gafford is out with a sprained knee, while Dereck Lively II is dealing with a stress fracture in his ankle. Starter P.J. Washington Jr. has also faced setbacks with a sprained ankle, and backup guard Jaden Hardy recently exited the game against the Kings with an injury.
“It feels like every time we’re about to get someone back, another player goes down,” Kidd remarked. The Mavericks are facing a tough fight ahead to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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