Teams always expect their best players to stay healthy and fit during the preseason games, but Kyrie Irving’s case seems different, who had even been named in head coach Jason Kidd’s NBA all-time starting five recently. He now appears to be a major concern to his coach and his Mavs team with his reported health condition.
Amid the preseason matches against the Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks HC Jason Kidd shared his major concern going into a long NBA season with his decision to leave an unhealthy Kyrie Irving out of the game.
Kyrie Irving sits out from second preseason game in Abu Dhabi
The Dallas Mavericks aim to return to the playoffs after missing last season’s post games. As the new season is just around the corner, they will enter the court for their second and final preseason game in Abu Dhabi against the Minnesota Timberwolves without Kyrie Irving. On Saturday, October 7th, the two teams faced off again in the span of two days, but Kyrie was not present.
Dallas opted to rest the All-Star guard Irving for Saturday’s game due to his reported left groin soreness, as indicated in the team’s injury report. Kyrie Irving’s availability was uncertain hours before the game, making his absence in the second game unsurprising. He did play in the first game, recording 2 points and 2 assists in 14 minutes but struggled, making just 1-of-6 shots from the floor. Irving didn’t see any action in the second half. The Mavericks lost the game 111-99.
However, despite the loss and Irving’s limited playing time, it’s important to know that this is just the preseason, and the team may be exercising caution with their star player’s minutes. Hence, Irving needs to ease back into competitive basketball after an extended break from the game as the new season rolls in.
Mavs’ HC Jason Kidd unfazed by Kyrie’s injury
As Kyrie Irving has gotten older, he has become more vulnerable to injuries. He hasn’t played a full 70-game season since 2016/17, immediately after winning his first and, so far, only championship. Last season, he only played 60 games split between the Nets and the Mavericks with an average of 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season.
While in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Games, Irving was excluded from the Mavericks’ second preseason game against the Timberwolves. Coach Jason Kidd explained the reason for Irving’s absence, “We’re not worried about it. It’s a precaution. This is a long journey, a long marathon, we want to make sure he’s ready to go when we have our next opportunity to play.”
The Mavericks stated before the second game that Irving wouldn’t be participating because of left groin pain. Sadly, the Mavericks suffered yet another defeat against the Wolves in Abu Dhabi, losing tonight’s game by a score of 10 points. The team left for Madrid after the second game.
The Mavs, on the other hand, are getting ready for a game against Luka Doncic’s old team, Real Madrid, which is a huge homecoming for Doncic. Fans and enthusiasts alike will be hoping that Kyrie Irving stays healthy and fit to bolster Luka Doncic’s efforts and offer the Mavs a decent chance of making the playoffs and potentially winning the championship.
