Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report.
Irving had performed simply 9 minutes in opposition to the Sacramento Kings Monday evening when he suffered a non-contact harm. He heroically shot each free throws earlier than leaving the sport with the help of staff employees.
The 32-year-old was within the midst of one other excellent season, averaging 24.7 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals. He additionally shot 40.1 % from 3-point vary and 91.6 % on the free-throw line.
This Dallas season goes from unhealthy to worse. The Mavericks are 32-30, with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis additionally on the shelf, in addition to Daniel Gafford and Dereck Vigorous II. Luka Doncic is starting to thrive with the Los Angeles Lakers. At tenth within the West and three.5 video games forward of the Eleventh-seeded Phoenix Suns, it should take a critical staff effort for this shorthanded Dallas staff stay within the working for the Play-In Event.
Irving may also now miss out on end-of-season award eligibility. He finishes 15 video games wanting assembly the 65-game cutoff. He has a participant possibility value $43 million for the 2025-26 season.
Who Steps Up For Irving?
Amid Irving’s harm, Spencer Dinwiddie noticed 27 minutes off the bench, ending with 10 factors and 6 assists.
In 19 begins this season, Dinwiddie has averaged 14.4 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals. He has solely shot 28 % past the arc as a starter.
Dante Exum has began eight of his 13 video games this yr, too. The Mavs have been compelled to play smaller with all of Davis, Gafford and Vigorous sidelined.
Kai Jones performed 34 minutes off the bench and proved very efficient, with 21 factors on 9-of-10 taking pictures and eight boards.
Naji Marshall and Max Christie will probably be depended upon way more as properly. Jaden Hardy suffered an ankle sprain halfway via the third quarter in opposition to Sacramento.
