The injury bug has struck the Mavericks yet again! Just days ago, P.J. Washington was sidelined with an ankle injury, adding to the team’s growing list of absences. And just as they were trying to recover, another major setback hit—newly acquired star Anthony Davis is now out with an adductor strain. With the Mavs facing a full-blown injury crisis, TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal had some advice for the team’s GM on how to navigate the storm.
The Mavericks just can’t catch a break. After taking on the weight of the team post-Luka Dončić trade, Kyrie Irving was doing everything in his power to keep them afloat. But now, disaster has struck—Irving has suffered an ACL injury in his left knee, officially ending his season.
Fans are still processing the shock, and with the playoffs looming, the big question remains—can the Mavericks still compete? With their star sidelined and injuries piling up, the road ahead looks anything but easy.
An utterly shocking moment came earlier this year when the Mavericks traded the face of the franchise to the Lakers, receiving Davis and Max Christie in return. However, the growing number of injuries have dashed fans’ hopes.
Expressing his concern for Irving, O’Neal said, “He’s playing some of the best basketball ever. And a freak injury like that puts him out for the season. I feel for Kyrie. Dallas still had a chance with a healthy him, Now, they don’t have a shot. I think the Dallas organization needs to go the Joel Embidd route. Shut AD down also.
“If I was Nico and those guys, I would just shut AD down” @SHAQ sends love to Kyrie and speaks on the Mavs’ plans moving forward. pic.twitter.com/m2xlLRSe5l
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 5, 2025
Get ready for next year,” O’Neal said. He added, “And they have no shot of winning a championship without Kyrie. without a healthy AD. So if I was Nico and those guys, I would just shut an AD down…and come back next year.” Caleb Martin, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II are among the players who have suffered injuries and missed games in recent days. The other TNT members have also sent their wishes to the 9x NBA All-Star.
Wishes pour on social media after Kyrie Irving’s season ending injury
The team acquired Irving in 2023. Since then, he has been a crucial part of the roster. His loss will clearly be felt by the team. He was averaging 24.7 points per game. This season, Irving played 50 games for the Dallas Mavericks. Irving hit 30 points in five of the last 7 games, prior to his injury vs the Kings.
As per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Harrison also spoke about Irving’s role in the team. “There aren’t words to fully describe who Kyrie Irving is to this team or what he means to us as an organization. Kyrie is the heart and soul of this team.”
In the first quarter of the Mavs’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings, he sustained the injury. After getting fouled by DeMar DeRozan, he couldn’t keep his balance and landed the wrong way, injuring his left knee. Speaking of Irving, Vince Carter said, “He understood what was going on, but his positivity…If you were taking a backseat, allowing stars to be stars, allowing Luka to be Luka, but still being a complimentary player. And when you need me, I can step up to now going back, bringing that old thing back and still being a vet, still being a leader, trying to empower everybody. So you hate to see this. (watching Irving out for his injury).
Candace Parker also shared the sentiments. It’s a heartbreaking situation for the Mavs as well as the players. With prayers pouring in for Irving, there’s also concern for the Mavs.
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