Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL and is out in the season

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 Tab To Sacramento Kings. After the injury, Irving made two free kicks with tears rolling down the cheeks before leaving the game.

The 32-year-old was buried by Demar Derozan on a drive to the basket, and his right foot landed on the foot of Kings’ Jonas Valanciunas. Irving lost his balance and then landed awkward on his left leg, and his knee looked like hyperextend before falling on the floor.

Mavericks lost 10-time all-Star Anthony Davis to a groin injury in his Dallas debut last month after the trade that sent Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers.

The presence of Irving was the biggest reason why Mavericks thought they could continue with the controversial Davis-for-Doncic Deal, a step that Irritated Dallas Fan base.

Now Irving is out in the season and would find out to be in the last stages of recovery when teams report to training camp in the 2025-26 season. Irving has an option of $ 44 million 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 expansion of his own family,” said general manager Nico Harrison, the goal for most of the criticism of trade. “His work ethics and absolute dedication to his craft, it is cut by the clothes of greatness.”

After he was injured, Irving grabbed his legs and remained on the floor for several minutes. Davis was among those who helped Irving to the dressing room before coach Jason Kidd talked to Irving, who then returned to take two free kicks. After converting both to pull Dallas within 23-18, Irving was helped to the tunnel.

“The recovery process has already started,” Irving said in a live post on social media. “Just wanted to tell you that I am well and I will be okay in the future.”

Irving’s decision to shoot free throw is reminiscent of the deceased Kobe Bryant who made two game-bound bad shots to Los Angeles Lakers after tipping his Achilles-sen late in the fourth quarter of a win over the Golden State on April 12, 2013.

“It’s just who I mean Kai is a tough guy,” Kidd said. “I asked him when they took him off the field, ‘are you good if you are traveling without shooting? You are excluded. ‘So they took him to the free -throwing line and he shot the free kicks and then we got him out. “

The damage could make it difficult for the defending western conference masters to return to the playoffs. Dallas is 10. In the West, the last place in the play-in tournament.

Mavericks are only nine months removed from Doncic and Irving, leading them to the NBA final for the first time in 13 years. Dallas, who lost to Boston in five games, could be the fifth team to miss the playoff season after reaching the final.

Irving won his ninth All-Star appearance as a damages damage this season. He average 24.7 points and shot 40% from 3-point range.

Davis, to be evaluated this week for a possible return, is one of three significant missing pieces on Dalla’s front line along with centers Daniel Gafford (sprained knee) and Derck Lively II (stress fracture in an ankle).

PJ Washington Jr., another starter, has recently missed time with a rather ankle sprain. After Irving’s injury to Kings, Backup -Guard Jaden Hardy went out with a sprained right ankle.

“It seems that every time we get close to getting someone back, someone goes down,” Kidd said. “We run out of bodies here.”

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