Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving Sidelined with Back Injury

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is expected to miss one to two weeks due to a bulging disc in his back, dealing a significant blow to the team.

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is expected to miss one to two weeks due to a bulging disc in his back, which was initially reported as a lumbar back sprain. Irving was listed as out for the Mavericks' NBA game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

This injury is a significant blow to the Mavericks, who are already without superstar guard Luka Doncic due to a strained left calf. Doncic is expected to be reevaluated in late January. With Irving's absence, the Mavericks will rely on players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy, and Quentin Grimes to lead their offense.

According to ESPN, there is a positive outlook regarding Kyrie Irving's injury, with sources stating, “There is optimism that treatment over the coming days will provide a return-to-play target date.” This suggests that Irving's recovery timeline may become clearer in the near future.

Irving's recent injury history has been a concern for the Mavericks. He was ruled out of Friday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers due to illness and had also missed a game at Sacramento the previous Monday with a sore shoulder.

The Mavericks, who are the defending Western Conference champions, are currently facing a challenging period, having lost their last four games. The absence of superstar Luka Doncic, who suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day, has exacerbated the situation.

Kyrie Irving has been a key player for the Mavericks this season, averaging 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 30 games. His impressive performance is a testament to his skill and experience, which includes being a former Rookie of the Year and an NBA champion with Cleveland in 2016.