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[Saba Sports News] The Dallas Mavericks, already missing one superstar guard, are now set to be without the other.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported Monday that Kyrie Irving has been diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back and will be sidelined for at least one to two weeks. The team remains hopeful that treatment over the coming days will provide a clearer timeline for Irving’s return.
Irving, an eight-time All-Star, has been putting up stellar numbers this season, averaging 24.3 points and 4.9 assists per game on an impressive 49/44/90 shooting split.
With Luka Dončić out due to a significant calf strain, Irving had been carrying the load for Dallas. However, his own injury could now sideline him for 5-10 games, leaving the Mavericks without both of their key players.
Dallas currently sits sixth in the Western Conference with a 20-15 record, but the standings are tightly packed. Only 3.5 games separate the Mavericks from 11th place, which would leave them out of even the play-in tournament.
In Irving’s absence, the Mavericks will look to Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Jaden Hardy to step up in the backcourt as the team navigates a challenging stretch without its top stars.