Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd has labeled Kyrie Irving's torn ACL as a "freak accident," dismissing any suggested link between the injury and Irving's increased playing time. Kidd addressed these concerns ahead of the Mavericks' matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, emphasizing that the injury was an isolated incident rather than a result of excessive minutes on the court.
Irving was averaging 39.3 minutes per game over the ten games prior to his injury, marking the most time he has spent on the court in such a span during his NBA career. This uptick in playing time followed the trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, making Irving the most reliable player for the Mavericks this season. Despite the heavy demands, Kidd stressed that Irving was managing well and performing at an exceptional level.
"We're talking about one play. Not many before that. It's a freak accident, that's how it should be reported. We're reporting on conspiracy theories."
— Jason Kidd
Irving has demonstrated remarkable form throughout the season, earning his ninth All-Star selection in February. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 36.1 minutes across 50 of the Mavericks' 62 games. His contributions were pivotal given the team's injury struggles, with Anthony Davis sidelined due to a groin injury since February 8 and leaving Kidd with a diminished roster.
The Mavericks faced the Bucks with only eight healthy players, further strained by injuries to Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Kai Jones. Despite these setbacks, Kidd remained confident in Irving's abilities and leadership role in the team.
"Kai is our leader. Kai also was playing at a high level; maybe some of the best basketball that he's played in his career."
— Jason Kidd
Kidd's comments underline his belief that Irving's performance and leadership have been instrumental, both on and off the court. As the Mavericks navigate through a challenging period with key players absent, Kidd's focus remains on maximizing the potential of available team members while maintaining a competitive edge in their games.
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