DALLAS -- Kyrie Irving left the Dallas Mavericks' game Monday against Sacramento because of a left knee sprain.
Irving was injured late in the first quarter and the Mavs said he would not return.
The veteran guard landed awkwardly after being fouled on a drive to the basket and immediately grabbed his leg, remaining on the court for multiple minutes. Injured forward Anthony Davis was helping Irving to the locker room before Irving abruptly returned to the court to take two free throws. After converting both to pull Dallas to within 23-18, Irving was helped into the tunnel.
The nine-time All-Star came in averaging 25.0 points and has become Dallas' primary outside shooting threat since the trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1.
The injury is the latest blow for a Mavs team already missing Davis -- who left his only Mavericks game on Feb. 8 because of a groin injury after being acquired for Doncic -- Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and Caleb Martin.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
