Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is facing a long road to recovery after suffering a torn ACL that will keep him out for the rest of the year. The injury comes as a significant blow, especially with Irving having previously dealt with major injuries in his career. However, the 32-year-old point guard is drawing inspiration from his late friend and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who also suffered a similar injury in 2012.
Irving was seen pointing to the sky after hitting two clutch free throws following his injury, a nod to Bryant’s Mamba Mentality. The star player has since taken to social media to quote Bryant, showing that he is channeling his inner Black Mamba as he navigates this challenging time. Irving’s mental toughness and determination are being praised by Lakers teammates Luka Doncic and LeBron James, who have wished their former teammate well following the injury.
Irving will put in all the work necessary to come back stronger than ever, a trait that Bryant was known for. With his elite talent and newfound resolve, it is likely that Irving will succeed in overcoming this setback and return to the court as an All-Star player.
Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-news-kyrie-irving-quotes-kobe-bryant-as-he-begins-acl-rehab