Mac Engel: His season over, Mavericks' Kyrie Irving says, 'It does suck, a lot. I ain't gonna lie.'

Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Mar 4, 2025

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The Dallas Mavericks “plan” to return to the NBA Finals in 2025 went to the shredder on Monday night.

When All-Star guard Kyrie Irving hobbled to the free throw line, Kobe style, on an injured knee in the first half of a blowout loss against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, this looked bad.

Bad would be more welcome that this.

On Tuesday, ESPN NBA reporter Shams Charania reported that Irving suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. A torn ACL normally requires 10-12 months before the player can return. Do not expect to see Irving back at full strength until 2026.

“The recovery process already started,” Irving said via his Instagram account on Tuesday. “Just wanted to let you guys know I’m OK. I will be OK moving forward. It does suck, a lot. I ain’t gonna lie to you guys. This one stings for sure.”

There is no way to “But If” and “Maybe they can” around where the Dallas Mavericks currently reside: They’re done. They are currently 32-30, in 10th place in the NBA’s Western Conference. They are four wins ahead of the 11th place Phoenix Suns.

Irving was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists, and there is no one on this roster remotely good enough to replace that production.

No. Don’t not raise your flag for Flagg. It’s too late for the Mavs to go “All in” and tank for a high draft pick like, say, Duke forward Cooper Flagg.

The Mavs’ only prayer for Flagg is to win the NBA Draft lottery. Set your expectations for a Mavericks’ NBA Draft party, not a Mavericks’ NBA Finals, playoffs, or play-in party. A pity party fits.

A season that began with the arrival of free agent guard Klay Thompson has gone into the deepest recesses of a used-diaper bin. This has been one of the worst months in the history of an NBA franchise.

The Mavs started February by trading franchise face Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in return for Anthony Davis, who suffered an injury in his debut with his new team.

GM Nico Harrison’s plan was to build a team around AD in the middle on both ends, with Irving as the primary ball handler and scorer.

If you can look beyond the reality of dealing Luka, the lineup that Harrison wanted was NBA Finals caliber. The front line of AD, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively with guards Irving, Thompson and small forward P.J. Washington could potentially beat any team in a seven game series.

Part of the unspoken gamble to this plan wasn’t just AD’s health, but Irving’s, too. Irving will turn 33 later this month, and his game thrives on plays at the rim, which requires contact with human beings, and the floor.

Doncic is gone, Irving is out for the year, Lively, Gafford, Washington and AD are all currently out with injuries.

By the time these guys come back, the best the Mavs can hope for is to just remain in the 10th spot.

The remaining players are all role guys who can thrive, as long as someone else is creating time and space for decent shots. Thompson is likely now kicking himself for signing with the Mavericks in the offseason rather than the Lakers.

The Mavs have 20 games remaining in their season, but they’re finished.

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