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

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 the Mavericks’ 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.”

Irving acknowledged that this is his first time managing a back injury, but he has found the process a learning experience. After an MRI revealed the bulging disc, he sought expert opinions and relied on the advice of teammates, including Dudley, to help guide his recovery.

“I’ve never really had back troubles before, so when I got the MRI and found out it was a bulging disc, I spoke to a few experts, a few doctors, and also discussed it with some of my teammates and our coaching staff who have dealt with either surgery or just maintenance,” Irving shared. “It’s on and off, so I need to be very smart about managing it. I’m grateful I got a chance to get back out there and play some minutes.”

Irving continued, stressing the critical importance of maintaining patience throughout the recovery process and carefully managing expectations, acknowledging that while the journey may be challenging, it’s essential to prioritize long-term health over short-term returns.

“This is a process, and I’ve been trying to take it day by day,” Irving said. “It’s hard not to be out there, especially when you want to compete with your teammates, but I know the long-term plan is to make sure I’m 100% and not just pushing through for the moment.”

Irving recently described getting used to “uncomfortable stuff” during recovery, specifically with his hamstring and down his legs. He experienced trouble sitting down but improved through rest and the treatment process.

“I had to sit down every single time. I couldn’t really meditate,” Irving stated. “I was getting a lot of uncomfortable feeling down in my hamstring and also just down my legs. Just dealing with some uncomfortable stuff getting used to that. Being able to get some rest and come out feel better every single day the past like week or so.”

For Dudley, who also dealt with injuries to his foot and MCL throughout his career, corrective exercises were crucial to his longevity. He offered further advice based on his experiences with injury prevention and management.

“I’ve told Kyrie about Amar’e [Stoudemire], who had microfracture surgery,” Dudley told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Amar’e lived in the weight room and did corrective exercises for his knee to extend his career by five to six years. Kyrie’s situation isn’t as severe, but as you get older, these injuries tend to add up. So, Kyrie will need to do specific corrective exercises, especially targeting his core.”

In addition to the prescribed exercises and nerve management, Dudley emphasized the importance of posture and stretching for preventing minor back stiffness, which can evolve into more serious issues.

“Posture is key. Right now, my posture is bad, but you see LeBron [James] with this device that helps with posture,” Dudley detailed to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “When you’re traveling or sitting for long periods, stretching your glutes is important. Sitting can cause your glutes to shut off. Stretching your tissue, like working your IT bands to your glutes, is also helpful. Some people use acupuncture to release tension, or cupping. You have to take care of your body—it’s a 24/7 job. In this business, there’s no off-season. Even when you’re not working out, you’re still taking care of your body. Another thing is staying in shape. If you’re carrying extra weight, even just 10 pounds over your usual, it makes you more susceptible to injury.”

Dudley also shared the discomfort caused by his back injury during his playing career, which ultimately led to surgery. He explained how that experience could relate to what Irving is going through now.

“Yes, I had tingling down my hamstring,” Dudley shared with DallasHoopsJournal.com. “That’s actually why I had surgery. It was so bad that it affected my hamstring. I tried playing through it with injections and painkillers during the playoffs with Jason Kidd in Milwaukee. After trying rehab for a month or two, I ended up having surgery.”

Dudley’s insights also speak to the importance of recovery methods beyond surgery. He mentioned the different approaches to medical care and how staying proactive with recovery can reduce the need for invasive procedures.

“When I got traded to Washington, that’s when I really started healing. The trainers there were incredible, and they helped me recover in ways that later helped me avoid surgery after tearing my MCL off the bone in LA,” Dudley recalled to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Sometimes surgery isn’t always necessary; there are other methods like strengthening the tendons and reducing inflammation. Kobe [Bryant] went to Germany for treatments for a reason—there’s a different approach to medicine there, and you have to do your research.”

Dudley also expressed confidence in the Mavericks’ medical staff and their ability to support Irving’s recovery. While Dudley doesn’t commonly spend time around the training staff daily, he emphasizes how hard they work.

“It may sound a bit strange, but I don’t see them on a daily basis, and they don’t see me,” Dudley remarked to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “But one thing I know is they’re hardworking, and they offer 24/7 service. I’ve seen them massaging players at night while others are out enjoying dinner. They work with 14-15 players, so their availability is impressive.”

The Mavericks organization has impressed Dudley with its creative and intentional approach to adding experts to improve its medical staff. This should only help Irving and other players dealing with injuries.

“Nico is always looking to improve the staff, and we have people from the [New England] Patriots, college sports, and basketball backgrounds,” Dudley added to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “They focus on getting the right medical experts, and overall, the key is dealing with injuries. Half of it is on the staff, and half is on the players. You have to take care of yourself.”

Irving continues to work closely with the Mavericks’ training staff. He hopes to manage the discomfort and regain his full health over time with consistent effort. For now, he remains focused on returning to the court in optimal condition, guided by the lessons and advice shared by his fellow players and coaches.

For the rest of the Mavericks’ roster, this team has dealt with varying roles throughout the season as players have been in and out of the lineup. Dudley detailed the communication and preparation for handling these changes in real-time.

“It’s all about communication. Injuries happen, and they can affect the lineup, but the team needs to stay mentally ready,” Dudley told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We make sure everyone knows early in the morning about any changes so they can prepare themselves. You need to be blunt about what mistakes were made and how to improve. I always preferred knowing what to expect so I could visualize and prepare for the game. It’s about mental preparation just as much as physical preparation.”

Irving’s recovery from his injury is progressing, and there is optimism that he will be able to play on Friday when the Mavericks face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

DallasHoopsJournal.com’s Rashad Miller contributed to this report.