Kyrie Irving Details Managing Back Injury After Leading Mavericks Past Thunder: “Getting Up and Down Without Worrying”

Kyrie Irving displayed as he led the Dallas Mavericks (23-19) to a 106-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7) on Friday. It was the latest step in Irving’s ongoing management of a bulging disc injury.

Returning after a one-game absence, Irving delivered an efficient 25-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance, snapping a three-game losing streak for Dallas. He shot 9 of 19 (47.4%) from the floor, including 3 of 8 (37.5%) from beyond the arc, while commanding defensive attention that opened opportunities for his teammates.

“He accepted the challenge of being denied and still got his teammates involved,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said about Irving after Friday’s game. “When the ball touched the paint, he made plays, whether it was finding open shooters or creating for others. His flow was really good tonight.”

The Mavericks are now navigating a challenging stretch without Luka Dončić (left calf strain) and other key contributors. Irving’s leadership and ability to manage his injury will be critical as Dallas works to maintain its playoff positioning.

Irving’s return to form was significant because he could play without pain. He emphasized “getting up and down the court without my back hurting or worrying” as an essential milestone in his recovery process.

“My main takeaway is just being able to get up and down the court without my back hurting or without having anything occur where I’m worried,” Irving said following the win over the Thunder. “I had some good workouts over the last two days. After the Denver game, I didn’t have that extra push in the reserve tank, and it bothered me. I left that game thinking about how I could be better for my teammates and take some pressure off myself.”

After Irving stated he would “most likely” play against the Pelicans, he explained the process of determining his availability—as with any player—involving the Mavericks’ training staff. Irving was initially listed as doubtful to play on the injury report ahead of Tuesday’s loss but still traveled with the team to New Orleans and went through a lengthy workout at Smoothie King Center. He focused on weight room work during the team, so he wasn’t seated on the bench.

“It was a combination of things. It was a collaborative decision with the staff, scaling back my competitiveness given the time of the season and circumstances,” Irving explained after Friday’s game. “I spoke from an emotional place [after the Denver game], but there’s protocol in the NBA. They had my best interests at heart. They told me to use the next two days to prepare for OKC, and I trusted them.”

Kyrie Irving Shares Initial Thoughts After Tuesday’s Game

Dealing with a back injury is uncharted territory for Irving, who revealed the diagnosis after undergoing an MRI during his five-game absence earlier in January. The issue forced him to be cautious while collaborating with medical staff and consulting teammates who’ve faced similar challenges.

“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 said after Tuesday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. “It’s on and off, so I need to be very smart about managing it.”

In his first game back against the Nuggets, Irving scored 11 points on 4 of 18 shooting in a tough 118-90 loss. He admitted he felt rusty, describing it as coming off the couch.

“Tonight really felt like I just hopped off the couch and decided to play an NBA game tonight,” Irving said after Tuesday’s game. “The warm-up the last few days were good, but there’s nothing like being in an NBA game and just getting rhythm. So I’m grateful my teammates had my back out there. Obviously, it wasn’t the best performance for us.”

By Friday, Irving had regained his rhythm, guiding Dallas to a much-needed victory. Kidd praised his ability to shake off the rust and make impactful plays.

“He looked like he shook off the rust after that Denver game and found his rhythm and flow tonight,” Kidd said following Friday’s game.

Jared Dudley’s Insight on Recovery

While Irving’s back injury remains manageable, former NBA player and current Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley’s past experiences with similar challenges offer valuable context. In his career, Dudley dealt with a bulging disc injury and underwent back surgery.

Earlier this week, in New Orleans, Dudley shared his insights into managing back injuries, detailing specific techniques, routines, and habits that helped him overcome his setbacks. One method mentioned was nerve gliding.

“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.”

Dudley elaborated on the nerve gliding technique, explaining its importance in reducing pain and restoring proper nerve function. The process involves specific stretches and movements designed to promote the smooth movement of nerves through surrounding tissue, which can become restricted due to injury.

“Nerve gliding is something that can alleviate a lot of discomfort,” Dudley explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It’s about controlled movement and creating space for the nerve to function properly. It takes consistency, but over time, it makes a huge difference.”

Dudley also highlighted the importance of core strengthening, a key element of back injury prevention and recovery. He noted that core stability supports proper posture, reducing strain on the spine and alleviating pressure on injured areas.

“Strengthening your core is crucial,” Dudley emphasized to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “A strong core takes pressure off your back and allows you to move more efficiently. For someone like Kyrie, who’s always making quick movements, having that stability is essential to avoid further injury.”

Beyond exercises, Dudley stressed the importance of maintaining body care and relying on experts for advice. He explained that recovery isn’t just about physical exercises and lifestyle adjustments.

“Posture is key,” Dudley told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “You see LeBron [James] with this device that helps with posture. When you’re traveling or sitting for long periods, stretching your glutes is important, and whether on planes or buses, it’s easy for your posture to suffer. Stretching your glutes, IT bands, and other tight areas is essential. Even small things, like staying hydrated and eating well, play a role. You have to take care of your body—it’s a 24/7 job. This league doesn’t give you time off when it comes to maintaining your health.”

Dudley shared his experiences overcoming back injuries and the medical staff’s role in his recovery. He described how his initial challenges led to surgery but also how proactive approaches, such as strengthening exercises and alternative therapies, helped extend his career.

“When I got traded to Washington, that’s when I really started healing,” Dudley recalled to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “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.”

Kyrie Irving Details Ongoing Injury Management

Kyrie Irving details how the recovery process remains ongoing, but he’s optimistic about his ability to contribute while staying healthy. He felt good about how his body responded on Friday, which gave him optimism about the situation as he dealt with the injury.

“I feel a lot better. I feel a lot better, man. I was fully at peace with my game tonight, and just cardiovascular-wise, you don’t get a chance to work out as hard as you would like and have to rest, and you come back in. It just takes a little while to get the tread going a little bit,” Irving explained after Friday’s game. “And again, it’s a new experience for me with this injury or things going on like that. So, taking my time and just remaining patient… I said that the other night, but I’m not too worried. I know the maintenance that it takes to make sure that I’m good. I have to continue that.”

Irving has trusted the Mavericks’ medical staff to assist him as he navigates his back injury. He understands that closely following their guidance will be the best method for him to maintain an elite level of play throughout the season. Otherwise, a worsening of the situation could be surgery, which he wants to avoid.

“I got to trust our training staff and just continue to trend in the right direction. So I don’t have a lapse in a way where I’m out, and I have to get surgery, man,” Irving stated. “Like that’s the other side of this—if I keep playing and something else happens, I don’t know if surgery is on the other side of it, but it’s a possibility, and I’m not trying to even worry about that, man, or even think about that or manifest that.”

The Mavericks will face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday as part of the NBA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day slate, with tipoff scheduled for 11 a.m. CST. As Irving adapts, Dallas will attempt to build on the momentum from Friday’s win.