[Update: Upon further evaluation, Irving’s knee injury has been diagnosed as a season-ending ACL tear.]
Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a left knee sprain in Monday’s game against Sacramento, according to ESPN News Services.
The injury occurred during the first quarter. Irving drove between defenders DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas in the lane and fell to the court. He grabbed at his left knee and was down face-first for a few minutes.
DeRozan was called for a reach-in foul on the play and Irving managed to make two free throws before being helped to the locker room.
It’s another brutal blow for the Mavericks, who have been hit by a wave of injuries since the controversial trade of Luka Doncic. Anthony Davis suffered an adductor strain in his first game with Dallas and remains sidelined. Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford and Caleb Martin are also on the mend.
Irving came into the contest averaging 25.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 49 games. He’s reached the 30-point mark in five games since the Doncic trade.
To make matters worse, Jaden Hardy exited the game during the second half with a right ankle sprain, Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal tweets. The Mavs were blown out, 122-98.
If Irving needs to miss significant time, Spencer Dinwiddie will likely absorb the bulk of his minutes.
God that Luka/LeBron combo seems like a perfect pairing. They compliment each other beautifully. He impacts the game in ways AD just can’t. It’s looking better and better… or worse and worse if you’re from Dallas.
I dont think Brons or the teams defense can keep this up. He is putting out more effort than he has in years, and they have been lucky so far with several other bad defenders
I think his effort shows that Lebron hasn’t been this healthy in years. He’s desperate for a 5th ring and the collusion has given him the opportunity.
His right knee banged into Valanciunas while driving which probably affected his stride and as his left leg landed it dramatically hyper extended in a bird leg like fashion.
Can’t lose Kyrie. Then it gets critical.
Better make sure AD is ready when back.
@Knick
I think they should just shut it down. Without Kyrie they aren’t serious contenders anyway.
What a great trade. The Mavs traded a 25 year Old generational superstar who might be often injured due to conditioning issues in the future for an allstar who – like his Partner in crime Kyrie – already is Old an often injured.
That is it. It’s one thing to be worried about injuries going forward. But to get AD in return?
Nico must have a really good view on sand with how deep his head is buried in it.
Basketball gods are displeased w Rico harrison
I’ve never been this sports depressed. This past month still doesn’t feel real. wtf just happened to my team
Ticket prices about to go up again
I saw that. The Mavs’ owners are deplorable.
Mavericks are cursed forever after that Luka trade. “We’re contending for championships” and then age catches up immediately with their 2 stars.
The injuries have hit young players too, Hardy went down last night. I’m betting the Mavs players feel like there’s a curse…
I wonder who has worse GM, Sixers or Mavs. Both should be fired.
Sixers can at least blow it up and trade everyone and should get more cause Maxey is young. Mavericks can’t get anything for kyrie or AD. Both GMs are bad but 76ers have more long term hope in this gloomy season.