Mavericks' Kyrie Irving Details 'Bulging Disc' Injury After Return, Intends to Play Against Pelicans
After being sidelined for five games due to a combination of initial illness and then largely due to a back injury, Kyrie Irving returned to the Dallas Mavericks lineup on Tuesday night. In the 118-90 loss against the Denver Nuggets, Irving played 30 minutes and finished with 11 points on 4 of 18 shooting overall while missing his three attempts from beyond the arc
“Tonight really felt like I just hopped off the couch and decided to play an NBA game tonight,” Irving said. “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.”
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd felt Irving got “great looks” but missed shots uncharacteristically since he’s needing to build rhythm after an injury absence.
“I thought he was fine—got great looks. Some of those are what he normally makes, but he did not make those tonight,” Kidd explained.” But again out for five games, been out for a little bit. It was good to have him back in uniform. And again, We have another one tomorrow. So hopefully, he plays in that.”
Irving is new to dealing with a back injury, and when an MRI revealed a bulging disc, he was determined to diligently determine the best path forward. He admits he must be “very smart” about managing the injury but was happy to be back on the court competing alongside his teammates. He’s felt improvement recently, allowing him to return to the lineup.
“My back felt a lot better recently. The last almost two weeks have sucked,” Irving admitted. “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. 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.”
When asked if he’s still managing his pain, Irving explained that he has to get used to “uncomfortable stuff,” including in his hamstring and down his legs.
“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.”
Irving is grateful his bulging disc injury is not at a point currently that surgery is required. He’s sought the insight of anyone possible in the locker room while feeling supported by the Mavericks’ medical staff along the way.
“It’s a bulging disc in your back, so just got to do your best to manage it and it’s not to the point where it’s bad enough I need surgery, which I’m grateful to God,” Irving explained. “I have the support of my medical staff and a few other people in this locker room deal with the same thing. So just being smart about it. That’s it. Not being like too cautious.”
The Mavericks will be on the second night of a back-to-back when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Irving declared that he is “most likely” going to play in the game as he works to regain his rhythm and conditioning on the court.
“I’m most likely going to play tomorrow,” Irving declared “ So just give it a go and just keep trying to get my rhythm and get back into game shape. Just go from there.”
Irving has averaged 23.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in 31 games. He’s shooting 48.1% from the floor, 43.5% from the perimeter, and 89.4% from the free throw line. To maintain his production, Irving must successfully manage his back injury, especially since Luka Dončić remains sidelined with a left calf strain.
