Clippers star James Harden offers support for Kyrie Irving after season-ending injury

Harden plans to reach out to his former teammate after an ACL injury.

Dec 21, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket as LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks received brutal news earlier in the week when it was announced that star guard Kyrie Irving had torn his ACL in his left knee. It's another notch in a long list of bad news for the Mavs and their fans since the calendar turned to 2025.

Many people have delivered emotional responses about the injury, as Irving has a lot of respect in and around the NBA. The latest to do so was LA Clippers star and former teammate of Irving, James Harden.

READ MORE: Klay Thompson's emotional statement about Kyrie Irving's season-ending injury

LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) dribbles during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakersat Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

After the Clippers' 123-115 win over the surging Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, Harden was asked in his postgame press conference if he had talked to Irving yet.

"I haven’t yet, but I will reach out," Harden answered. "He’s been having a hell of a year… He leads the Mavericks. To see something like that, which it didn't look crazy at all. Just a hyperextension. But he’s tough. He's one of the most tough-minded people I’ve ever come across and met and been close to. I'll reach out to him and send him some prayers, but I know he'll come back stronger than ever."

James Harden on reaching out to Kyrie Irving and thoughts after he suffered a torn ACL:

“I haven’t yet, but I will reach out… He’s been having a hell of a year… To see something like that, which it didnt look crazy at all. Just a hyper extension. But he’s tough. He's one of… pic.twitter.com/ysW4qg7e4k

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 6, 2025

The Clippers played back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday night, so Harden has been a little too busy to reach out. He and Irving were teammates on the Brooklyn Nets from January 2021 to February 2022, but injuries and a few other reasons prevented them from playing many games together.

Irving was in the middle of a fantastic season, making his 9th All-Star Games this season and well on his way to an All-NBA appearance, averaging 24.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 4.6 APG. He was also playing a lot of minutes as Dallas awaited the return of Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and more.

READ MORE: Mavericks coach Jason Kidd blasts media's 'wrong' reporting of Kyrie Irving's season-ending injury

Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024-25 Season

Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter

More Dallas Mavericks News

• Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis headline injury report for Mavericks-Kings

• Former Mavericks forward could play for Lakers before season's end

• Jason Kidd provides injury update on Mavericks forward

• Mavericks must get healthy before season ends