Kyrie Irving expressed optimism after the All-Star guard suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury in the Dallas Mavericks’ recent loss against the Sacramento Kings.
Irving spoke for the first time on Instagram Live and assured his fans that he will be ‘back and be better.’
"It hasn't been 48 hours since I tore my ACL, but the recovery process already started mentally, spiritually, emotionally," the 2016 NBA champion said.
"I just wanted to let you guys know I'm OK, and I will be OK moving forward. I will be back. I will be better,” he added.
Kyrie gives an update after his ACL injury.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 4, 2025
(via @KyrieIrving)
The 32-year-old was fouled by Kings’ DeMar DeRozan on a drive to the basket and his right foot stepped on big man Jonas Valanciunas’ foot, causing Irving to lose his balance and landed awkwardly on his left leg.
Despite the fall, the former No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 Draft went on to shoot his free throws before exiting the game for good.
A moment of pure determination for Kyrie Irving.
— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2025
After suffering an injury, Kyrie was helped to the line to take his free throws before exiting the game.
He made both. 👏👏
Irving’s decision to shoot free throws was reminiscent of the late Kobe Bryant, who made two game-tying foul shots for the Los Angeles Lakers after tearing his Achilles tendon late in a regular season duel against the Golden State Warriors in 2013.
With this, two of his former teammates in Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James expressed their support to the multi-time All-Star.
"You will come back stronger mi hermano," Doncic said in his Instagram Story.
[Screenshot: Luka Doncic official Instagram Story]
"Prayers sent up to Ky," James posted on X, formerly as Twitter.
Prayers sent up to Ky 🧙🏾🤞🏾!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 4, 2025
It was a major blow for the Mavericks, who were dealing with a plethora of injuries before their star guard went down.
Anthony Davis is currently out due to groin injury while Daniel Gafford (knee), Dereck Lively II (ankle), P.J. Washington Jr. (ankle), Jaden Hardy (ankle), and Caleb Martin (hip) are also missing a significant amount of games.
"The injuries we’ve had this season, guys are trying to hold it together to get other bodies back," Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said in the aftermath of the Mav’s loss to the Kings.
He added: “We’re running out of bodies here. But guys keep fighting."
The Mavericks are currently hanging by a thread in the Play-In spot in Western Conference, holding a 32-30 win-loss record.
