On March 3, 2025, Dallas Mavericks star point guard Kyrie Irving sustained a season-ending ACL tear during a game against the Sacramento Kings. What was initially diagnosed as a strain turned into confirmation of a devastating injury that ended Irving’s strong season — one in which he was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
NBA fans began speculating about what caused the injury, with many pointing to the increased workload Irving faced after the trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Some blamed coaching decisions, as Irving was averaging a league-high 39.3 minutes per game over the 10 games before the injury.
Kyrie Irving’s Direct Response to Workload Blame
Irving quickly responded to the concerns on Instagram, posting a photo of his fall with the caption: “Too many minutes??? Or did I get knocked off balance?”
His question acknowledged the workload theory but also offered another possible cause.
In a more forceful statement, Irving reportedly said that “95% of the league” would rather play 35 minutes than 15 minutes per night.
Irving’s blunt tone, highlighted by a “So the f*** what?” attitude, reflected pride in his role.
Kyrie on fans blaming his injury due to his minutes increasing:
“If you ask 95% of the league if they rather be playing 15 minutes or 35 minutes a night, I guarantee you 95% of them would say 35 minutes. I led the league in minutes, so the f*** what…” pic.twitter.com/ncfCaRcq74 — MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) March 22, 2025
Irving saw his minutes spike after the Mavericks acquired Dončić and when Anthony Davis went down with an injury shortly after his arrival. Rather than complain about the extra load, Irving said he embraced the challenge of leading the team through tough stretches.
Jason Kidd’s Defense and the ‘Freak Accident’ Narrative Amid Injury Crisis
In multiple press conferences, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd dismissed the workload theory, insisting the injury was a random incident that occurred when Irving tried to step around Jonas Valančiūnas’ foot.
Kidd called the alternative explanations “conspiracy theories” and said they had no merit. He also said that Irving was in top physical condition and never raised concerns about his minutes. According to the Mavericks HC, Irving welcomed the added responsibility, showing why star players are expected to carry heavier loads.
Nevertheless, Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Jaden Hardy have all missed significant time this season due to injuries. With limited healthy bodies, Kidd has had to lean heavily on his remaining players just to keep the Mavericks in the playoff hunt.