DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks suffered more injury misfortune Monday.
Late in the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings, Kyrie Irving drove into the lane and landed awkwardly on his left knee. Irving fell to the ground and immediately signaled for medical attention. He stayed in the game to hit two free throws but was helped off the floor with what the Mavericks said was a left knee sprain.
Irving was hardly putting any weight on his left leg as he limped toward the locker room. He finished with 7 points in 10 minutes.
The Mavericks entered Monday's game in 10th place in the Western Conference. Irving said last week Dallas wanted to finish the regular season in sixth place or higher, which would allow it to make the playoffs without having to go through the NBA Play-In Tournament to get there. But the chances of that happening are looking increasingly unlikely as the Mavericks' injury issues continue to pile up.
The Mavericks have been without their top three big men -- Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford -- since before the All-Star break. Davis suffered a left adductor strain in his first game with Dallas on Feb. 8. It's unclear when he could return to the lineup. The Mavericks are expected to provide an update about his status Thursday.
Irving was averaging 25 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists before suffering a left knee injury against Sacramento, one of the teams Dallas is battling with for postseason positioning. Irving in February earned the ninth All-Star nod of his career. He had played in 49 of Dallas' 61 games before getting injured Monday.
The Mavericks became especially dependent on Irving as an offensive creator after deciding to trade Luka Dončić in February. If Irving misses extended time, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dante Exum and Naji Marshall could get more minutes at the lead guard spot.