On Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks announced that Kyrie Irving had suffered a serious knee injury during their game against the Sacramento Kings, an injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season. Already without Luka Doncic and with Anthony Davis recovering from an injury sustained in his debut with the team, the Mavs’ chances now appear increasingly slim, prompting Shaquille O’Neal to offer a candid and unexpected recommendation.
“Worst type of injury is a freak injury. Of course, he’s in shape. He’s playing one of the best balls ever. And a freak injury like that puts him out for the season. I feel for Kyrie,” O’Neal began on TNT about Irving’s season-ending injury that will require an extensive recovery process.
“Dallas still had a chance with a healthy him. A healthy AD,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said, before offering a more pessimistic outlook on the Mavericks‘ prospects. “Now, they don’t have a shot… They have no shot at winning a championship without Kyrie. And without a healthy AD.”
Given the circumstances, Shaq proposed a bold move for the Mavericks: “I think the Dallas organization needs to go the Joel Embiid route,” he suggested. “Shut AD down also. Get ready for next year… If I were Nico (Harrison, Mavericks General Manager) and the rest of those guys, I’d just shut AD down. Work him out hard this summer and come back next year.”
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Shaquille O’Neal gets a fist bump as he attends a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup.
The Mavericks are in trouble now
The Dallas Mavericks’ 2024-25 season has been plagued by recurring physical issues for several of the team’s key players. Before his departure to Los Angeles, Luka Doncic was sidelined for over a month due to a calf injury, while other players such as Derek Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Anthony Davis have also dealt with various setbacks. With the confirmed absence of Kyrie Irving, the team’s most impactful player this season, the outlook for coach Jason Kidd is becoming increasingly complex.
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With a diminished roster, just as the final stretch of the season is upon them, the Mavericks are dangerously close to falling out of the Play-In tournament. Currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference with a 32-30 record, they are being closely pursued by the Phoenix Suns (29-33), who, led by Kevin Durant, will look to overtake them for that final spot.
Messages of support for Kyrie
Following the news of Kyrie Irving’s serious injury, many NBA stars sent heartfelt messages of support. “Prayers sent up to Ky,” wrote LeBron James, who won a championship alongside Irving in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Also part of that team was Kevin Love, who wrote, “Man… devastating for Ky. Love you my brother and speedy recovery. You mean so much to this game.”
James Harden, who played alongside Irving with the Brooklyn Nets, sent his well-wishes using emojis of crossed fingers and praying hands. Luka Doncic, Kyrie’s friend and former on-court partner in Dallas, also offered words of encouragement, writing, “You will come back stronger mi hermano!”
