WATCH: Dallas Mavs Star Kyrie Irving Leaves Game with Leg Injury vs. Portland Trail Blazers After Scary Play
Just when you thought things were turning around for the Dallas Mavericks with the schedule lightening up for a few games, potential disaster struck in the second quarter of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
After Mavs star point guard Kyrie Irving fell to the floor, Dwight Powell leaned over him to attempt a tip-out offensive rebound. Powell's legs got taken out from under him, and all of his body weight unfortunately fell on Irving's outstretched leg.
Irving was fouled on the play, and in Kobe Bryant fashion, he stayed on the court to make his two free throws before hobbling off the floor and into the locker room. Mavs PR confirmed that Irving will not return to the game, but didn't give any updates on the injury itself. Stay tuned to DallasBasketball.com throughout the night as we learn more.
Irving has battled foot injuries and soreness dating back to last season, and now, all Dallas can do is hope that it isn't as bad as what the footage suggests.
"Oh man, it felt good [to be back]," Irving told DallasBasketball.com after returning from a one-game absence in Wednesday's 50-point blowout win over the Utah Jazz.
"It felt like we needed one of these games as a team, just to be able to establish good rhythm going on the road. Last game I played against Memphis, I was disappointed in how my body felt after that game. We just took a few days to get some rest and lift and just do everything to be able to sustain the level I was playing at before that game. I have some acute injuries, but you got to be able to battle through."