The Dallas Mavericks’ injury situation has only gotten worse. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that All-Star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending torn ACL, making him another addition to a laundry list of injuries for Dallas.
Mavericks lose Kyrie Irving to torn ACL
Irving suffered the injury driving hard to the basket attempting a layup through a foul in the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings on Monday. He landed awkwardly on his left leg and collapsed to the floor immediately grabbing his left knee. He then shot the two free throws, visibly emotional from the injury, before being helped to the locker room.
His loss is undoubtedly a devastating blow for a Mavericks team that has dealt with several injuries over the past month. Anthony Davis, who they acquired in the trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, played just 31 minutes in his Dallas debut before suffering an adductor injury, and they are already without Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington.
Irving was carrying the Mavericks after the Doncic trade
Irving was having an amazing season for Dallas and took full control of the offense after Doncic was traded in February. He finishes the year with season averages of 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, 47.3% shooting from the field, and 40.1% from three-point range.
Dallas was hoping to make a playoff push despite being shorthanded, but now that task has become even more daunting with Irving on the shelf the rest of the way. The Mavericks are currently in the final play-in spot as the 10th seed with a 32-30 record and 20 games remaining.
It will be tough sledding for Dallas the rest of the way as they are going to be without their top players for some time. The hope is that their current role players can step up and keep Dallas in the mix for a playoff spot, which will be one big ask out of them.