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DALLAS (AP)— Kyrie Irving experienced a sprained left knee during the game on Monday night, shedding tears as he took free throws for the Mavericks before leaving the court in clear distress late in the first quarter of Dallas’ 122-98 defeat against the Sacramento Kings.
The injury occurred when DeMar DeRozan fouled Irving during his drive to the basket. Irving’s right foot struck the foot of the Kings’ Jonas Valanciunas, causing him to lose his balance and land awkwardly on his left leg, leading to what appeared to be a hyperextension of his knee before he fell to the ground.
The Mavericks did not offer any updates on Irving’s injury following the game.
“Just an unfortunate situation,” said coach Jason Kidd. “I’m hopeful that it’s not a serious issue and that he’ll be fine.”
After suffering the injury, Irving clutched his leg and lay on the floor for several minutes. Injured forward Anthony Davis was among those who assisted him to the locker room before Kidd spoke with Irving, who then returned to the court to take two free throws. He made both, narrowing the gap to 23-18 for Dallas, before being helped off to the tunnel, where the team promptly declared him out for the remainder of the game.
Irving displayed incredible resolve by shooting free throws post-injury.
After getting hurt, he was escorted to the line and successfully made both shots before leaving the game. 👏👏pic.twitter.com/hJDDRTDLg7
— NBA (@NBA)March 4, 2025
“That’s just who he is; Kai is a tough competitor,” Kidd stated. “I asked him as they were taking him off the court, ‘Are you okay if you don’t shoot?’ He was ruled out at that point. They brought him to the free-throw line, and he made the shots before we got him out of there.”
Irving’s choice to take the free throws brought to mind the late Kobe Bryant, who made two crucial foul shots for the Los Angeles Lakers after tearing his Achilles tendon late in a victory over Golden State on April 12, 2013.
A nine-time All-Star, Irving was averaging 25 points per game and had emerged as Dallas’ key outside shooting option following the trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1.
The Mavericks were already missing Davis, who left his sole game for Dallas on February 8 due to a groin strain sustained after being acquired for Doncic, along with Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington Jr.
Additionally, reserve guard Jaden Hardy exited in the third quarter with a right ankle injury, leaving the Mavericks with just nine active players.
Kai Jones, signed by Dallas on Monday to a two-way deal amid multiple injuries to their big men, led the Mavericks with a career-high 21 points and nine rebounds.
“It seems like every time we get close to welcoming someone back, another player goes down,” Kidd remarked. “Tonight, both Hardy and Kai get injured. We are running low on players.”
