Kyrie Irving Out For The Season After ACL Injury

Dallas Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving will miss the remainder of the NBA season after tearing his ACL in his left knee, ESPN reports.

Irving was injured in the first quarter of the Mavs’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night (March 3). Following the injury, Irving, with tears rolling down his cheeks,  made two free throws before leaving the game.

The nine-time All Star’s act of heroism reminded NBA fans of Kobe Bryant limping to the line with a ruptured Achilles in 2013. 

After Irving’s diagnosis, coach Jason Kidd spoke about the difficult reality that the Mavericks are facing.

In addition to Irving, Jaden Hardy, a reserved guard, left the game due to an ankle sprain midway through the third quarter.

Following the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for All-Star Anthony Davis, the plans of the Mavericks have not come to fruition. The squad and fan base are still reeling from the loss of Anthony Davis, who was injured in his first game with the team on Feb. 8, an adductor strain. Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and Caleb Martin.

According to CBS Sports, Davis, Lively and Gafford are all set to be reevaluated on Thursday. Davis left the only game he played with the Mavericks on Feb. 8 because of a groin injury.

While the Mavs are struggling to keep their heads above water, with the addition of Dončić, the Lakers are 11-2 and have jumped to the number two spot in the Western Conference.

With the loss to the Kings, the Mavericks are now 32-30 and are 3½ games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

In 50 games, Irving averaged 24.7 points (on 59.4% true shooting), 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists.