Duke basketball pro Kyrie Irving was on the receiving end of a teammate’s crash landing in Portland.
Duke basketball fans know a thing or two about Kyrie Irving being out of commission for an extended period due to a foot injury, as that’s what led to the electrifying point guard missing 26 games as a one-and-done Blue Devil before going No. 1 overall at the 2011 NBA Draft.
There’s no telling yet as to how many games the 31-year-old Irving will sit out in light of his scary leg/foot injury in the second quarter of the Dallas Mavericks’ 125-112 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. But judging by the replay and his reaction, one would think he may be out for a while.
On his drive to the hoop, he was fouled and fell to the floor. Then, as the official blew his whistle, Dwight Powell attempted to jump over Irving to get the rebound.
Powell did not survive. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound power forward tripped over Irving, slid backwards, and landed directly on Irving’s right foot, flattening it into the heel with all his weight:
Irving scowled for several minutes on the floor. He was able to shoot (and hit) his free throws. He did, however, leave the game, go to the locker room, and did not return, finishing with 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
Irving was wheeled out of the arena minutes later, according to the Trail Blazers’ broadcast. In his postgame press conference, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd batted down the allegation, saying the eight-time NBA All-Star remained in the building and that th
Through his 17 outings this season (his second with the Mavericks), Kyrie Irving is averaging 23.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47.1 from the field, 38.4 percent from three, and 90.3 percent at the line.
Dallas’ other two Duke basketball products, rookie center Dereck Lively II and veteran guard Seth Curry, played double-digit minutes against Portland.
Lively, a full-time starter alongside Irving, flirted with a double-double, tallying 10 points, nine boards, two assists, one steal, and two blocks in his 28 minutes on the floor. And Curry saw 18 minutes off the bench, contributing seven points, two rebounds, and one assist.
The Mavericks (13-8), sitting at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings, remain on the road to face the Memphis Grizzlies (6-15) on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
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