Dallas’ playoff hopes crumble as Kyrie joins AD on the sidelines in a nightmare season.

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks have officially hit rock bottom. As per Shams Charania, Kyrie Irving, their best player this season, has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season, marking a devastating blow to a team that was already spiraling due to injuries.

Irving went down in the first quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Sacramento Kings, clutching his left knee in pain.

While he managed to sink two free throws before exiting the game, an MRI later confirmed the worst—he had torn his ACL, effectively ending his season.

The Mavericks were already struggling after trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, a move that was supposed to keep them competitive.

Instead, Davis played just one game before suffering an adductor strain, sidelining him indefinitely.

The team was already dealing with injuries to key rotation players like Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Caleb Martin, and now, with Irving gone, their playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy.

Before his injury, Irving had been the glue holding the Mavericks together.

He was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting an elite 40.1% from three and 91.6% from the free throw line in 50 games played this season.

He was one of the most efficient scorers in the league and had been a steadying presence in an otherwise chaotic season. Now, without him, Dallas is left scrambling with just 20 games left in the regular season.

The Mavericks have lost four of their last five games, with Monday’s 122-98 blowout against the Kings further showcasing their struggles.

After peaking at the fifth seed in the Western Conference, they have now fallen to 10th place with a 32-30 record, barely clinging to a Play-In Tournament spot.

With no true star left on the floor, they face an uphill battle to even qualify for postseason play.

Irving’s injury isn’t just a short-term disaster for the Mavericks—it raises questions about his long-term future with the team. The 32-year-old has a $44 million player option for the 2025-26 season, the final year of his three-year, $126 million deal.

Given the severity of his injury, he is likely to opt in, which means Dallas will be paying him a massive salary while he undergoes a lengthy rehab process.

Recovery from an ACL tear typically takes 9-12 months, meaning he might not be ready for the start of next season. Even when he does return, will he still be the same explosive, shifty scorer that Dallas relied on?

The history of ACL injuries in guards has been mixed, with some players recovering fully while others never quite return to their peak form.

This was supposed to be a season of resurgence for the Mavericks, but instead, it has turned into a nightmare. The Doncic trade has backfired spectacularly, Davis has been a non-factor, and now, their only remaining star is out for the year.

With the Western Conference being as competitive as ever, Dallas could easily slip out of playoff contention altogether.

For now, all the Mavericks can do is try to stay afloat, but with no Luka, no AD, and now no Kyrie, they might have already sunk.