Kyrie Irving injury update: Latest news after Mavericks’ star exits early with knee sprain

The injuries keep stacking up for the Mavericks. Shooting guard Kyrie Irving had to be helped off the court after he was fouled driving the lane in Monday’s 122-98 loss against the Kings. Irving made both free throws, but he was unable to return to the game. 

The Dallas guard was initially diagnosed with a left knee sprain. This would be the best-case scenario for Irving because the way his leg was bent and stretched looked like it could have been way worse. The shooting guard initially stayed down, but coach and teammate Anthony Davis helped him to the free-throw line and then to the locker room. 

A moment of pure determination for Kyrie Irving.

After suffering an injury, Kyrie was helped to the line to take his free throws before exiting the game.

He made both. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/hJDDRTDLg7

— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2025

Here are the latest injury updates for Irving. 

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Kyrie Irving injury update

Irving suffered the injury after absorbing a glancing blow off Jonas Valanciunas and landing awkwardly in the first quarter of Monday night’s game against Sacramento. It has been called a left knee sprain, but the shooting guard was noticeably emotional during the free throws following the injury, even appearing to tear up as he took the attempts.

Kyrie Irving was crying while shooting his free throws 💔

Praying for a speedy recovery pic.twitter.com/leUtdaVm9r

— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) March 4, 2025

He will likely get further tests done in the coming days, and hopefully, the extent of the injury will just be a scary-looking sprain. 

Here is the Kyrie Irving Knee injury video…

I don’t like the way his left knee buckles and hyperextends

-Best case scenario: Hyperextension/bone bruise

-Worst case scenario: ACL tear pic.twitter.com/HHOXo8Pv5e

— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) March 4, 2025

Dallas continues to be bitten by the injury bug. It started when former guard Luka Doncic hurt his calf on Christmas Day. He never recovered from it before the Mavericks’ front office traded him to the Lakers. Doncic posted to his Instagram, responding to a post about Irving’s injury. 

Luka Doncic’s reaction to Kyrie Irving’s injury. pic.twitter.com/2CtRUPERAc

— Kit Espina (@KeithEspino22) March 4, 2025

In that transaction, Dallas got back power forward Anthony Davis, and in his debut with the team, he suffered a groin injury. He hasn’t played since and was in street clothes helping Irving to the free-throw line and then to the locker room. Dallas has also been without Derrick Lively II, who fractured his ankle in January. 

Spencer Dinwiddie figures to replace Irving in the starting lineup for the time being, with Dante Exum also seeing more minutes.

Kyrie Irving stats 2024-2025

Irving had played nine minutes before getting injured against the Kings and had seven points, a rebound, and an assist. Here are his 2024-2025 stats. 

• 49 games
• 25 points per game
• 4.9 rebounds per game
• 4.7 assists per game
• 36.6 minutes per game
• 47.3% FG percentage
• 40.1% 3FG percentage

Western conference schedule

Dallas has lost four of its past five games after Monday night’s loss to Sacramento, and it currently sits in 10th place in the Western Conference, 3.5 games up on the Suns for the final play-in spot. The loss added injury to insult as the Mavericks lost a game to the previous No. 9 seed in the conference, pushing Dallas further down the standings, holding onto the final play-in tournament playoff spot. 

Mavericks upcoming schedule

Here are the Mavericks’ next 10 games.