Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. He is out for the season and will likely need a long recovery. The latest Kyrie injury update is a devastating blow to a Mavericks team that hoped to win now. GM Nico Harrison might be under even more pressure now that Anthony Davis is out with an injury as well.
Breaking: Dallas Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving has suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VEgTU6iF6S
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 4, 2025
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Devastating Kyrie Irving Injury Update Adds to Mavericks Disappointing Season
Irving sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the Mavericks’ loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Before Monday’s game, he was averaging 39.3 minutes per game in the last 10 games. The stretch began when Luka Doncic was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers. For the season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
After this injury, we can all but assume that Kyrie will opt in for the player option for next season. He has a $43 million option, which is the final year of his three-year, $126 million he signed in 2023.
How Long Can Kyrie Be Out?
There is no clear answer. But in the last 10 years, a handful of NBA players have had a torn ACL. Generally speaking, it takes between six to nine months to recover from a torn ACL. However, sometimes, competitive athletes might need more time to fully heal before they are cleared to return. Age plays a role as well. Mavs fans can look at some positive examples, but also at devastating examples.
For example, Derrick Rose suffered a torn ACL at age 23. It took him 16 months to return to the court, and he was never fully the same. Danilo Gallinari was 24 years old when he tore his ACL, and it took him 20 months to return to NBA activity. Rajon Rondo was 27 years old when he sustained the injury, and he returned to gameplay after 12 months.
On the positive side, Lou Williams returned to game action after nine months of recovery. JJ Hickson might be the most positive example, the forward returned after only seven months. That is an optimistic prognosis for Kyrie, given his age and wear and tear.
Dallas’ Future Compromised
The Dallas Mavericks hoped to assemble a team that was ready to win now when they traded for Davis. But instead, they are now looking at a bleak future. The Mavericks do not control their pick in 2027, 28, 29, and 30. If Irving opts into his player option, the team will probably be over the first apron for the 2025-26 season. As currently constructed, they have $190 million in salary for next season.
They do not have many trade assets they can use. While there are rumors that they might be a player in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes this summer, what can they offer? They can dangle their 2031 first-round pick, but how will they match the salary? Six of their rotation players are 26 years old or older. Their three stars are 31 years or older. The Mavericks will have cap space in the summer of 2026 when the contracts of Kyrie, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford are up. One thing is certain, without Kyrie, they will have a hard time making the playoffs next season. The win-now strategy of Nico Harrison might be over before it even started. The only good news right now for Mavs fans? They have their first-round pick in the 2025 draft.
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