Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks after a bulging disc was discovered in his back. While his recovery period is estimated, doctors are hopeful that the next few days of treatment will provide a more accurate timeline.
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Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a bulging disc in his back and is expected to miss at least 1 to 2 weeks, sources tell me and @espn_macmahon. There is optimism that treatment over the coming days will provide a return to play target date. pic.twitter.com/HuNjAadyMi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 6, 2025
Irving has had a strong season, averaging 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists a game while shooting a career-best 44.1% on 3-pointers.
Dallas Has Uphill Climb to Make in Coming Weeks
The Dallas Mavericks were already in a bad way after losing Luka Doncic to injury over a week ago but were still sitting comfortably in the top half of the Western Conference. Since then, Jason Kidd's team has lost four of their last five games and sit just one spot above the play-in tournament.
In the next two weeks, the Mavericks will play five of seven games against fellow Western Conference playoff contenders - the Grizzlies, Lakers, Nuggets twice, and Thunder. They'll face another tough three-game stretch later in the month with games against the Timberwolves and Thunder before an NBA Finals rematch against the Boston Celtics.
As they will likely be without Irving and Doncic for that stretch, the Mavericks will lean on playmakers like Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy to run their offense. They will also continue to empower forward P.J. Washington and wing Quentin Grimes to look for more offensive opportunities.
