Mention Kyrie Irving and foot injury to a Brooklyn Nets fan and they will immediately hang their head in frustration.
Of course, their thoughts will immediately go to the Game 4 in the second round of the 2021 NBA playoffs injury when Giannis Antetokuonmpo slide under Irving on a layup attempt and caused the then-Nets point guard to severely turn his ankle.
Irving was lost for the remainder of the playoffs and Brooklyn lost a devastating Game 7 with Kevin Durant's toe touching the line on a potential game winning three.
Flash forward 2 and 1/2 years and Irving is on Dallas after demanding a trade from the Nets.
Now with his new club, Irving suffered what looked like it could be a horrific foot injury on Friday night against the Portland Trailblazers.
Luckily, Dallas' point guard avoided a worst case scenario.
Tests show Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a heel contusion, avoiding a substantial injury after teammate Dwight Powell landed on his right leg, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Irving is beginning treatment on the heel and there is no return timetable yet. pic.twitter.com/8srMIY7KEG
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2023