Star guard Kyrie Irving is playing through pain. Since joining the Mavericks in a trade with the Nets on February 6, 2023 the Mavs have gone 7-12.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban took a risk and made a bold move before the trade deadline. Trading Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Irving and Markieff Morris, Cuban was telling his team he was all-in.
What has transpired since then has been less than successful for the Mavs. One reason is that Irving appears to be dealing with some health issues according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
NBA insider @ShamsCharania reports that Mavericks PG Kyrie Irving has been playing through plantar fasciitis in his foot since early March. @Stadium pic.twitter.com/P8TpTkB79k
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) March 26, 2023
According to the report, Irving suffered the injury on March 8. He has been playing through it but it might be affecting his overall performance. This is not a structural issue according to reports but it is the kind of injury that could change his day-to-day activity.
The Mavs currently sit with a record of 36-38 on the season and in 11th place in the Western Conference standings. They gone 3-7 in their last 10 games and are in danger of missing the playoffs. They are chasing the Los Angelos Lakers (37-37) for the 8th seed.
Since returning to the lineup, Irving is averaging 33 points in March and also averaging the incredible 50/40/90 since returning to the Mavs. There is no question that the Mavs need to figure out how to keep Kyrie healthy and win with him in the lineup.
Source: yardbarker.com
