Mavs 'running out of bodies' as Irving exits Kings loss in tears

The Dallas Mavericks are "running out of bodies" after Kyrie Irving left the court in tears with a knee injury during Monday's loss to the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings continued their good form with a 122-98 rout of the struggling Mavericks at American Airlines Center, dealing Dallas their fourth defeat in five games.

But the ramifications of this latest loss could go beyond the result, after the Mavs lost yet another star player to injury.

Already without recent arrival Anthony Davis, as well as Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington Jr., Dallas saw Irving exit late in the first quarter after he was fouled by DeMar DeRozan on a drive to the basket.

Having lost his balance and hyperextended his right knee as he fell, Irving spoke to coach Jason Kidd before returning to sink two free throws despite being in tears.

Irving was then helped into the tunnel and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game.

"It's just unlucky," Kidd said afterwards. "I hope that he's healthy, that it's not serious."

Kyrie Irving is the definition of strength #MFFL pic.twitter.com/J8DMb1BkYi
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 4, 2025

On Irving taking the free throws before leaving, he added: "Kai's a tough guy. I asked him as they were taking him off the court, 'Are you good if you leave without shooting? You're ruled out.'

"So they took him to the free-throw line, and he shot the free throws and then we got him out."

Dallas also lost reserve guard Jaden Hardy in the third quarter, finishing the game with just nine players available.

Sitting 10th in the Western conference at 32-30 amid fan discontent at the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last month, the Mavs' problems continue to mount.

"It seems every time we get close to getting somebody back, someone goes down," Kidd lamented. "Tonight, both Hardy and Kai go down. So, we're running out of bodies here."