Mavericks' Kidd Calls Kyrie Irving's ACL Injury 'Freak Accident'

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd defended Kyrie Irving following his season-ending ACL tear, calling it a 'freak accident' and dismissing suggestions that Irving's heavy workload contributed to the injury. Irving sustained the injury during a game against the Sacramento Kings when he landed awkwardly after stepping on an opponent's foot. Kidd noted that Irving had been playing at a high level, averaging 39.3 minutes in recent games, and emphasized that increased playing time is part of being a professional athlete. Despite speculation about the impact of Irving's minutes, Kidd insisted that the injury was not due to fatigue but rather an unfortunate incident. The Mavericks, already dealing with injuries to key players, faced a significant challenge as they aim to maintain their playoff position. Irving's injury marks a severe blow for the team, as he had been performing exceptionally well prior to the setback.