Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season, the biggest setback in a season full of them for a team that traded superstar Luka Doncic.

The team confirmed Irving’s diagnosis Tuesday, a day after he was injured in the first quarter of Dallas’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Following the injury, Irving made two free throws with tears rolling down his cheeks before leaving the game.

The 32-year-old was fouled by DeMar DeRozan on a drive to the basket and his right foot landed on the foot of the Kings’ Jonas Valanciunas. Irving lost his balance and then landed awkwardly on his left leg, and his knee appeared to hyperextend before he fell to the floor.

The Mavericks lost 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to a groin injury in his Dallas debut last month following the seismic trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The presence of Irving was the biggest reason the Mavericks felt they could proceed with the controversial Davis-for-Doncic deal, a move that infuriated the Dallas fan base.

Now, Irving is out for the season, and would figure to be in the final stages of recovery when teams report for training camp for the 2025-26 season.

After he was hurt, Irving grabbed his leg and remained on the floor for multiple minutes. Davis was among those helping Irving to the locker room before coach Jason Kidd spoke to Irving, who then returned to take two free throws. After converting both to pull Dallas within 23-18, Irving was helped into the tunnel.

GRIZZLIES’ JACKSON WEEK TO WEEK >> Two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. is week to week with a sprained left ankle for Memphis after the center-forward was hurt a couple minutes into the Grizzlies’ latest loss.

The Grizzlies updated Jackson’s status Tuesday as a Grade 2 sprain. Jackson left the game at 10:21 of the first quarter of Monday night’s 132-130 loss to Atlanta.

PACERS 115, ROCKETS 102 >> Tyrese Haliburton scored 28 points and matched a season high with 15 assists and host Indiana recovered after blowing a 17-point third-quarter lead to beat Houston. Alperen Sengun scored 25 points for the Rockets, who dropped their third in a row.

BUCKS 127, HAWKS 121 >> Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season and visiting Milwaukee beat Atlanta.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and 13 assists.

RAPTORS 114, MAGIC 113 >> Ja’Kobe Walter swished a contested 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining and visiting Toronto edged Orlando.

Paolo Banchero rallied the Magic, scoring 22 of his 41 points in the final period on 8-for-8 shooting. He made two free throws with 5 seconds left to give Orlando a 113-111 lead.

Walter, a rookie from Baylor, had 17 points for the Raptors, who improved to 7-23 on the road.