Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report.
Irving had played just nine minutes against the Sacramento Kings Monday night when he suffered a non-contact injury. He heroically shot both free throws before leaving the game with the support of team staff.
The 32-year-old was in the midst of another outstanding season, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals. He also shot 40.1 percent from 3-point range and 91.6 percent at the free-throw line.
This Dallas season goes from bad to worse. The Mavericks are 32-30, with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis also on the shelf, as well as Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Luka Doncic is beginning to thrive with the Los Angeles Lakers. At 10th in the West and 3.5 games ahead of the 11th-seeded Phoenix Suns, it will take a serious team effort for this shorthanded Dallas team remain in the running for the Play-In Tournament.
Irving will also now miss out on end-of-season award eligibility. He finishes 15 games short of meeting the 65-game cutoff. He has a player option worth $43 million for the 2025-26 season.
Who Steps Up For Irving?
Amid Irving’s injury, Spencer Dinwiddie saw 27 minutes off the bench, finishing with 10 points and six assists.
In 19 starts this season, Dinwiddie has averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals. He has only shot 28 percent beyond the arc as a starter.
Dante Exum has started eight of his 13 games this year, too. The Mavs have been forced to play smaller with all of Davis, Gafford and Lively sidelined.
Kai Jones played 34 minutes off the bench and proved very effective, with 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting and eight boards.
Naji Marshall and Max Christie will likely be depended upon much more as well. Jaden Hardy suffered an ankle sprain midway through the third quarter against Sacramento.
