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[Saba Sports News] Kyrie Irving is shutting down one narrative about his recent ACL injury — and he’s not holding back.
During what appeared to be a recent video game livestream, the Dallas Mavericks star addressed the widespread claim that his heavy minutes were to blame for the injury he suffered earlier this month. Irving, using some unfiltered language, made it clear he doesn’t buy it.
“They were trying to blame the Dallas Mavericks,” Irving said. “They were trying to blame [them] because I was playing a lot of minutes. I’m telling you right now … if you ask 95 percent of the league if they’d rather play 15 minutes or 35 minutes, I guarantee you 95 percent would say 35.”
“I led the league in minutes — so the f— what?” he added.
Irving, who turns 33 later this month, tore his left ACL on March 3 during a game against the Sacramento Kings after an awkward landing following contact with Jonas Valanciunas. The injury came at a time when Irving had been logging major minutes — averaging 38.3 per game — due to Luka Doncic being sidelined and eventually traded to the Lakers in early February.
But Irving already downplayed the idea that wear and tear was a factor in his injury, previously calling it an unfortunate accident. Now, he’s doubling down — and with more fire — insisting the injury wasn’t the result of overuse.
Despite the setback, Irving is reportedly in good shape financially, as the injury isn’t expected to impact his long-term earnings or future with the Mavericks.