Dallas Mavs Injury Update: Kyrie Irving Wearing Protective Boot, Using Crutches
When the Dallas Mavericks found out that Kyrie Irving's injury was a heel contusion over the weekend, they were relieved. Given how bad the injury looked when Mavs center Dwight Powell fell on Irving's foot during Dallas' road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, everyone was just happy that it didn't end up being a season-ending injury.
However, that doesn't mean Irving will be ready to go anytime soon. According to Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, Irving is wearing a protective boot on his foot and is having to use crutches. There is currently no timetable for his return.
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The average time missed for a heel contusion is around two games, according to InStreetClothes.com's Jeff Stotts, but this particular injury could end up taking longer considering Irving's age (31) and the pain he was initially experiencing.
"The term 'heel contusion' is a bit vague and could be a myriad of things," Stotts told DallasBasketball.com. "The fact that we have heard [Kyrie] is in 'significant pain' makes me think it will be longer than the average time associated with general heel contusions (around two games). Worst case scenario would be a significant bone injury, but that doesn’t seem to be happening here."
Although Irving is a huge loss – he's averaging 23.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from deep – the Mavs have posted a 4-1 record this season when he doesn't suit up.
Pulling off a fifth win in six games without Irving will be a lot tougher on Tuesday night, though, as the shorthanded Mavs have to take on LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the freshly-minted NBA In-Season Tournament champion Los Angeles Lakers on a second night of a back-to-back at American Airlines Center.
Luka Doncic has firmly placed himself into the MVP conversation this season, and we'll see if Tuesday night will be yet another gem to add to his resume or a "scheduled loss" for the Mavs.
