Understanding Kyrie Irving’s Bulging Disc Injury

• Post By: Jeff Stotts
• Date: January 6, 2025
• Category: NBA, Understanding...

The Dallas Mavericks entered Christmas Day fourth in the Western Conference and within a game of the second seed. Then superstar Luka Doncic suffered a significant calf strain in the loss to Minnesota with Dereck Lively also suffering a hip contusion. These injuries were followed by suspensions for PJ Washington and Naji Marshall and a contagious illness that ran through the locker room forcing Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving out of games. Now, amidst a four-game losing streak, the Mavericks are reporting Irving will join Doncic on the sidelines for a prolonged period of time.

According to ESPN, Irving is dealing with a bulging disc in his back, an injury detailed previously on InStreetClothes.com with Michael Porter Jr.. Between each vertebrae in the spinal column sit intervertebral discs. These fibrocartilage discs serve as shock absorbers and help with mobility and flexibility in the spine. The makeup of a disc is comparable to a jelly-filled donut. Each disc has a thicker, outer portion known as the annulus fibrosis. Think of this like the baked dough on the outside of the jelly donut. Inside the annulus fibrosis is a softer center known as the nucleus pulposus, comparable to the jelly filling of the donut. When stress or pressure is applied to the disc, the nucleus pulposus can bulge out in a way similar to jelly squirting out of a jelly donut if you compressed it in your hands. The bulging disc can impede on the nerves in the area of protrusion, resulting in shooting pain and radicular pain into the lower extremities. 

Physical therapy and other corrective exercises are the most common course of treatment for a herniated disc. This approach can help alleviate symptoms and address any underlying contributing factors like muscle tightness or poor posture. In extreme cases, surgery may be warranted to stabilize the involved area.

Multiple players in the NBA have suffered herniated discs and avoided surgery, including JJ Barea, Draymond Green, and Desmond Bane. Unfortunately, the injury is often accompanied by a lengthy recovery. Since the 2005-06 season, the average time lost for in-season disc herniations that do not require surgery is 28.7 days (~12 games). The Mavs expect Irving to miss at least one to two weeks and will reevaluate the issue following extended treatment. While his age and career workload could factor into his return, Irving does not have a lengthy history of lower back injuries. In his 13-year career Irving has missed just four games due to back-related issues, including lower back tightness and soreness.

For now the Mavericks will be forced to navigate a difficult portion of their schedule without their two superstars and without a definitive return date for either player. Doncic is expected to be reevaluated at the end of the month but remains non-weight bearing on his injured calf.