Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Irving went down in the team’s 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night as he was driving to the hoop late in the first quarter. His left knee bent awkwardly as he attempted a layup and he crashed down to the court hard and immediately called for a trainer.
Despite the fall, Irving remained in the game to shoot free throws after drawing the foul, but then was helped off the court without putting much weight on his leg as he went back to the locker room.
The team quickly ruled Irving out with a left knee sprain. He finished with seven points, one rebound and one assist in nine minutes.
The Mavericks are 32-30 on the season and sit in the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Irving’s injury is just another moment in a tough season for the franchise. Anthony Davis, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Dončić, has played just once since the deal after injuring his adductor in his first game with Dallas.
Guard Jaden Hardy was also lost on Monday night after suffering an ankle injury in the second half.
Irving, in his 15th NBA season, averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 50 games this season while averaging over 36 minutes a night. He’s the only player in the NBA this season averaging 20 points, 40% shooting from 3-point ranges and 90% from the free-throw line.
