The Mavericks will have to play the rest of the season without a player that general manager Nico Harrison described as the “heart and soul” of the team.
It was part of a statement that Harrison released on Tuesday night in reaction to the news that Kyrie Irving would be out the rest of the season after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee in the Mavs’ loss to the Kings on Monday night.
“There aren’t words to fully describe who Kyrie Irving is to this team or what he means to us as an organization,” Harrison said in his statement. Kyrie is the heart and soul of this team, and he has embraced the city of Dallas as his home and our fans as an extension of his own family,” general manager Nico Harrison said in a statement. “His work ethic and absolute dedication to his craft, it’s cut from the cloth of greats. I know it, I lived it, and I see the same ferocity and passion in him that I saw in Kobe.”
“All of my thoughts and that of our staff are with Kyrie and his family, and we are confident that he will come back from this stronger than ever just like he always has.”
Irving had been averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this year before suffering the injury.
The Mavericks star addressed his injury in an Instagram Live on Tuesday night.
“Just wanted to let you guys know that I’m OK and I will be OK moving forward,” Irving said. “It does suck. A lot. I ain’t going to lie to you guys. This one stings for sure.”
The injury is another blow to the Mavericks, who have had to deal with several in recent days.
That list already included Anthony Davis (adductor strain), who had to exit his first game after the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Lone Star State and shipped star Luka Doncic to Los Angeles.
