Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving tears ACL, team confirms
Dallas Mavericks All Star guard Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL, the team confirmed Tuesday afternoon. The injury was first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday morning.
Irving went down with an injury in the first quarter of the Mavs' Tuesday night game against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Kings won by a final score of 122-98.
The team's statement did not address how long Irving's recovery might take, only saying, "Irving will be listed as out with appropriate medical updates to follow as necessary."
"There aren't words to fully describe who Kyrie Irving is to this team or what he means to us as an organization," Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison said. "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 extension of his own family ... His work ethic and absolute dedication to his craft, it's cut from the cloth of greats. I know it, I lived it, and I see the same ferocity and passion in him that I saw in Kobe. All my thoughts and that of our staff are with Kyrie and his family, and we are confident that he will come back from this stronger than ever just like he always has."
Dallas Mavericks injury woes
Irving's ACL tear is the latest blow in a season marred by injuries.
Anthony Davis has not played since his Mavericks debut nearly one month ago when he aggravated a groin injury. Last week, the team said Davis was making good progress in his recovery and would be reevaluated in two weeks.
On Feb. 10, the last time the Mavericks faced the Kings, center Daniel Gafford suffered a left knee sprain and has not played since. At the time, the team said he would be reevaluated in two weeks, but the team has not released an update on his status since then.
Another center, Dereck Lively II, has not played since mid-January after suffering a stress fracture in his ankle. He is not expected to return until April.
