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The Dallas Mavericks’ nine-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.<\/b><\/p>\n
Irving sustained the injury during Monday’s 122-98 defeat against the Sacramento Kings in Texas.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old guard has been a regular fixture for Dallas this season, featuring in 50 of their 62 fixtures to help them to 10th in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n
“Kai, you are resilient. Excellence, leadership and dedication is who you are. We know you’ll come back stronger than ever,” the Dallas Mavericks posted on X.<\/p>\n
After picking up the injury Irving hopped as he was helped back on to the court to convert two free throws before exiting the game.<\/p>\n
It is the third high-profile NBA injury in three weeks after San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama – the number one draft pick in 2023 – was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder<\/a> which will likely see him miss the rest of the season, while Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid is also out for the campaign with a knee injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n Irving has averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season.<\/p>\n Reserve guard Jaden Hardy also sustained an injury to his right ankle during the third quarter on Monday.<\/p>\n Irving’s injury is a further blow to Dallas’ hopes of reaching the play-offs, with Anthony Davis, who only joined on 8 February in a trade from the LA Lakers, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and Caleb Martin also sidelined.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n