Exclusive: Mavericks' Jared Dudley Details Sharing 'Valuable Insights' for Kyrie Irving Amid Back Injury

Mavericks' Jared Dudley shares insights on helping Kyrie Irving manage his back injury, offering advice on recovery, patience, and long-term health.

Photo: Dallas Mavericks

NEW ORLEANS — As Kyrie Irving navigates the challenge of managing a bulging disc, he has leaned on advice from teammates, coaches, and experts to guide his recovery process. There are essential techniques and strategies for managing these setbacks for former NBA player and current Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley, who has dealt with multiple back injuries throughout his career.

"Helping others is something I take pride in, whether it’s teammates like Kyrie or anyone else dealing with injuries," Dudley told DallasHoopsJournal.com. "We all have our stories and our ways of managing it, but when you’ve been through it, you can offer valuable insight."

Irving has a bulging disc in his back and returned after a five-game absence on Tuesday in the 118-99 loss against the Denver Nuggets before sitting out on the second night of a back-to-back. His injury requires careful attention. While Irving's injury is less severe than Dudley’s, who underwent back surgery during his playing days, a structured recovery regimen remains a central focus.

"I had a back injury, and mine was more severe; I had back surgery," Dudley explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. "Kyrie’s injury is less serious than mine, but with any back injury, it’s usually the nerve that’s affected. There’s a technique called nerve gliding that helps the nerve get back on track. Kyrie will need to do that and also follow a core regimen to keep everything stable. He’s already someone who follows a routine, so it’s just about continuing that."