Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has strongly refuted claims suggesting that Kyrie Irving’s increased playing time led to his recent season-ending knee injury. Irving tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 3, 2025. The injury occurred when Irving, attempting to split defenders DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas, landed awkwardly on his left leg. Despite the immediate pain, he managed to make two free throws before exiting the game.
In the aftermath, some media outlets speculated that Irving’s heavy workload since the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers might have contributed to his injury. Prior to the trade, Irving was averaging 36.1 minutes per game, placing him 12th in the NBA. Kidd dismissed these theories, labeling them as “conspiracy theories” and emphasizing that the injury was a “freak accident.” He stated, “It’s a freak accident. That’s how it should be reported. But we’re not reporting it right. We’re reporting on conspiracy theories.”
Kidd further addressed the notion that increased playing time could lead to such injuries, asserting that stars should play substantial minutes. He remarked, “We want our stars to play as many minutes [as possible]. This isn’t supposed to be a ‘rest’ league.” He added that Irving embraced the additional minutes, saying, “He’s well conditioned and he invited that. He wanted that.”
The Mavericks have faced significant challenges recently, including the departure of Dončić and injuries to key players like Anthony Davis, who was injured in his first game with the team and has not returned. These developments have left the Mavericks struggling, with a 32-31 record, as they fight to maintain their position in the playoff race.
Kidd’s comments highlight the complexities teams face when managing player workloads and the unpredictability of injuries. While some injuries may be linked to increased playing time, others, like Irving’s ACL tear, can result from unforeseen accidents on the court. As the Mavericks navigate this challenging period, the focus remains on supporting the recovery of their injured stars and striving to secure a playoff berth.
