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But Irving is not sitting idle at home. He has been hovering around the team during games, attending team meetings, and working one-on-one with assistant coach Phil Handy. He’s also stepped into a mentor role for rookie Cooper Flagg, guiding the 18-year-old through the challenges of running the point in his absence. That’s why, when asked about how Irving would fit with Flagg once he returns, Kidd sounded optimistic. “Ky is going to be a perfect fit with Cooper Flagg, when you talk about his skillset of being able to dribble and score,” Kidd said. “He also creates space on the floor for Cooper, and vice versa. We just can’t wait to get Ky back at some point.” But it seems like ACL injuries have become an all-too-common hurdle for NBA stars lately. Just look at Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Portland’s Damian Lillard, and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, all on long roads to recovery. While Lillard and Haliburton are expected to miss the season, Tatum hasn’t completely ruled out a comeback. Irving joked about their shared journey. “I think all of us are trying to prove we’re alien-like or we can heal like Wolverine, so to say,” he said on Sept. 29. “For me, the best advice I got is, ‘Take your time. No timeline is going to be perfect. Don’t compare it to anyone else and just enjoy the process.’ That’s what I’ve been doing.” Last season, Kyrie Irving was putting up 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, shooting 47.3 percent from the field, good for 59th in the league. Without him, the Mavericks are missing a reliable playmaker who can break down defenses. They brought in D’Angelo Russell to fill that role, but he’s showing signs of being past his prime. Dante Exum can help, but he’s more of a stopgap, and Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy are still untested at this level. That leaves a lot of responsibility on AD, but that plan has already hit a few bumps. Anthony Davis out for now? Anthony Davis’ night against the Pacers on Wednesday ended abruptly. After sinking a jumper, he seemed fine at first, but soon began favoring his left leg. Moments later, he left the court and headed to the locker room for further checks, leaving fans and teammates concerned about the star big man’s condition. And the fear seemed to come true. The Mavericks announced Friday that Davis will miss at least the next two games due to a mild left calf strain. He’ll be re-evaluated after the team’s road trip, and given the nature of calf and Achilles issues, he could end up sidelined longer. The issues aren’t entirely new. Davis came into Dallas’ camp carrying extra weight, around 15 pounds heavier than his usual athletic frame, which raised eyebrows among observers. On top of that, he’s been managing discomfort in both Achilles tendons, a tricky area for any player but especially for a veteran like Davis, who has already battled calf strains and Achilles problems in past seasons. Even with these challenges, Davis has been productive this season. He is averaging around 25 points, nearly 12 rebounds, and a few assists per game this season. Still, health remains the biggest question mark.
