No Luka.
And now, no Kyrie.
The Mavericks’ horrific stretch of bad luck worsened Monday when Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee, according to multiple reports.
Dallas, after making the controversial decision to trade Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, is now without its two biggest stars in Irving and Davis while Doncic is leading the resurgent Lakers.
“Just unlucky,” Kidd said Monday before knowing the full extent of the injury.
Irving suffered the torn ACL in the first quarter of Monday’s 122-98 home loss to the Kings after falling to the ground following a drive to the basket.
The former Duke star landed awkwardly and then grabbed his left knee, setting off concern.
Davis and a staffer helped Irving to the bench, but he actually returned to the court to shoot two free throws while the crowd chanted “MVP.”
Irving then exited the court for what will be the final time this season.
“Kai’s a tough guy,” Kidd said. “I asked him as they were taking him off the court, ‘Are you good if you leave without shooting? You’re ruled out.’ So they took him to the free-throw line, shot the free throws and then we got him out.”
The 32-year-old averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season spanning 50 games, helping the Mavericks stay in the playoff race despite Dallas battling injuries all season long.
Doncic appeared in only 22 games with the team before being traded.
The Mavericks owns the 10th and final playoff spot with its 32-30 record, sitting 3 1/2 games — three in the loss column — ahead of the Suns with 20 games remaining.
Without Irving, though, Mavericks don’t have much of a roster to defend that lead.
Davis suffered an injury in his Dallas debut and it’s uncertain when he will return.
Dallas is also without Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and Caleb Martin, leaving the 2023 Western Conference champions rather lacking entering the home stretch.
“The injuries that we’ve had this season, guys are trying to hold it together and get other bodies back, and it seems every time we’re close to getting someone back, someone goes down,” Kidd said. “We’re running out of bodies here. But guys keep fighting.’
This injury is also brutal for Irving since the timing could affect his availability heading into next season.
The 2025-26 season will open in roughly seven months, leaving the veteran guard with limited time for his rehab and recovery.
Irving has a $44 million player option for next season, and this injury could help make his decision.
“The character of that group in there, they’re going to fight to the end,” Kidd said. “We’re going to continue keep developing and no matter who’s in a jersey, we’re going to go out there and try to find a way to win.”