Kyrie Irving Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Back and Return

Kyrie Irving left Sunday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with a back injury. It's unclear how serious his injury is, and Irving missed Monday's matchup with the 76ers. He will return Wednesday against the Rockets. 

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Irving Will Play vs. Rockets

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report had an update on Irving's status:

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Irving Out vs. 76ers 

Monday, Jan. 5

Irving did not play in Monday's 95-92 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the third game of the season Irving missed for the Cavs.

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Irving Injures Back

Sunday, Jan. 4

The Cleveland Cavaliers' fortunes worsened Sunday when All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving left the floor against the Dallas Mavericks with a back injury.  

Following the game, the Cavaliers announced Irving would not play Monday against the 76ers in Philadelphia in order to receive treatment on his back in Cleveland, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick also provided postgame statements from head coach David Blatt and Irving discussing the injury:

Cleveland is already without superstar LeBron James for two weeks as he deals with knee and back injuries. An extended absence for Irving would be another major blow to a team looking to live up to its massive preseason expectations.

At 19-15, the Cavs are 6.5 games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks but hold a five-game lead over the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. Given the weakened state of the East, the Cavs would be wise to play it safe with Irving now and get him fully healthy for the playoffs.