Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a
torn ACL and is out for the season
[March 05, 2025]
By SCHUYLER DIXON
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL in
his left knee and will miss the rest of the season, the biggest
setback in a season full of them for a team that traded superstar
Luka Doncic.
The team confirmed Irving's diagnosis Tuesday, a day after he was
injured in the first quarter of Dallas’ 122-98 loss to the
Sacramento Kings. Following the injury, Irving made two free throws
with tears rolling down his cheeks before leaving the game.
The 32-year-old was fouled by DeMar DeRozan on a drive to the basket
and his right foot landed on the foot of the Kings’ Jonas
Valanciunas. Irving lost his balance and then landed awkwardly on
his left leg, and his knee appeared to hyperextend before he fell to
the floor.
The Mavericks lost 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to a groin injury
in his Dallas debut last month following the trade that sent Doncic
to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The presence of Irving was the biggest reason the Mavericks felt
they could proceed with the controversial Davis-for-Doncic deal, a
move that infuriated the Dallas fan base.
Now, Irving is out for the season, and would figure to be in the
final stages of recovery when teams report for training camp for the
2025-26 season. Irving has a $44 million player option for next
season.
“Kyrie is the heart and soul of this team, and he has embraced the
city of Dallas as his home and our fans as an extension of his own
family,” said general manager Nico Harrison, the target of most of
the criticism over the trade. “His work ethic and absolute
dedication to his craft, it’s cut from the cloth of greats.”
After he was hurt, Irving grabbed his leg and remained on the floor
for multiple minutes. Davis was among those helping Irving to the
locker room before coach Jason Kidd spoke to Irving, who then
returned to take two free throws. After converting both to pull
Dallas within 23-18, Irving was helped into the tunnel.
“The recovery process has already started,” Irving said in a live
post on social media. “Just wanted to let you guys know I'm OK, and
I will be OK going forward.”
Irving’s decision to shoot free throws was reminiscent of the late
Kobe Bryant, who made two game-tying foul shots for the Los Angeles
Lakers after tearing his Achilles tendon late in the fourth quarter
of a victory over Golden State on April 12, 2013.
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Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving holds onto his leg after suffering an
unknown injury as teammates stand by in the first half of an NBA
basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Dallas, Monday,
March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
“That’s just who, I mean, Kai’s a tough guy,” Kidd
said. “I asked him as they were taking him off the court, ‘Are you
good if you leave without shooting? You’re ruled out.’ So they took
him to the free-throw line, and he shot the free throws and then we
got him out.”
The injury could make it difficult for the defending Western
Conference champions to get back to the playoffs. Dallas is 10th in
the West, the final spot in the play-in tournament.
The Mavericks are just nine months removed from Doncic and Irving
leading them to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years.
Dallas, which lost to Boston in five games, could become the fifth
team to miss the playoffs the season after reaching the finals.
Irving earned his ninth All-Star appearance as an injury replacement
this season. He averaged 24.7 points and shot 40% from 3-point
range.
Davis, who was to be re-evaluated this week for a possible return,
is one of three significant missing pieces on the Dallas front line
along with centers Daniel Gafford (sprained knee) and Dereck Lively
II (stress fracture in an ankle).
P.J. Washington Jr., another starter, has missed time recently with
a right ankle sprain. After Irving's injury against the Kings,
backup guard Jaden Hardy exited with a sprained right ankle.
“It seems every time we get close to getting somebody back, someone
goes down,” Kidd said. “We’re running out of bodies here.”
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