Kyrie limps off in loss to Kings as Mavs' injury issues worsen
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving exited early in Monday's 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings due to a left knee sprain, the team announced.
Irving awkwardly tweaked his knee while getting fouled driving to the hoop in the first quarter. He appeared unable to put weight on his left leg but remained in the game to shoot two free throws before requiring assistance to head toward the locker room.
"That is who he is," head coach Jason Kidd said postgame, according to ESPN. "I mean, you know Kyrie he is a tough guy, so I asked him as they were taking (him) off the court, 'Are you good? If you leave without shooting you know (you're) ruled out.' So they took him to the free-throw line, shot the free throws, and then we got him out."
The 32-year-old contributed seven points on 50% shooting in nine minutes of action prior to exiting.
Dallas also saw guard Jaden Hardy leave Monday's game with a right ankle sprain.
Irving has been carrying the offensive load for the Mavs due to their current injury issues. They're currently without Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington Jr.
"Just unlucky," Kidd said of the recent injuries. "I hope that (Irving's) healthy and that it's not serious, but you know the injuries that we have this season, guys are trying to hold it together. You get other bodies back it just seems every time we get close to someone getting back someone goes down. Tonight both Hardy and Kyrie go down so we are running out of bodies here, but guys keep fighting."
Davis was meant to be Irving's new running mate after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Doncic in early February but suffered an adductor strain in his Mavs debut.
Since Davis went down, Irving had been posting 30.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 38.5 minutes per game entering Monday. On the season, he's averaging 25, 4.9, and 4.7 across 49 contests.
The Mavs have gone 6-7 since the trade, including a 107-99 loss to Doncic's Lakers. They sit 10th in the Western Conference at 32-30.