Kyrie Irving Suffers Knee Sprain as Mavericks Struggle in Loss to Kings
The Dallas Mavericks’ injury woes continued on Monday night as star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a left knee sprain during the team’s 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Irving Goes Down in First Quarter
The injury occurred in the first quarter when Irving drove into the lane between DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valančiūnas. As he fell to the floor, he clutched his left knee in visible pain, remaining face down for several minutes.
Despite the discomfort, Irving showed his resilience by staying in the game long enough to sink two free throws after DeRozan was called for a reach-in foul. He was then helped to the locker room and did not return.
Mavericks Dealing with Major Injury Setbacks
Irving’s injury is yet another setback for Dallas, a team already struggling with multiple injuries since the controversial Luka Dončić trade. Anthony Davis remains sidelined with an adductor strain, while Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, and Caleb Martin are also recovering from injuries.
To add to the Mavericks’ troubles, Jaden Hardy exited the game in the second half due to a right ankle sprain.
What’s Next for Dallas?
Before his injury, Irving was averaging 25.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 49 games this season. He had been one of Dallas’ most consistent scorers, hitting the 30-point mark five times since the Dončić trade.
If Irving is forced to miss significant time, Spencer Dinwiddie will likely take on a larger role in the backcourt. Dallas, currently fighting for a playoff spot, will need to find ways to stay competitive amid their growing list of injuries.
