Challenges Faced by Kyrie Irving: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Kyrie Irving faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Kyrie Irving is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he was named Rookie of the Year and subsequently won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. Irving is a nine-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier players.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 14, 2012: Broken Right Hand in NBA Summer League

On July 14, 2012, Kyrie Irving sustained a broken right hand while practicing with the Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League.

2012: Injured Index Finger at Start of NBA Season

At the start of the 2012–2013 NBA season, Kyrie Irving injured his index finger in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

August 27, 2015: Ruled Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Night

On August 27, 2015, Kyrie Irving was ruled unlikely to be ready for opening night of the 2015–16 season due to the left kneecap fracture he suffered in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals.

2015: Screw insertion

In 2015, Kyrie Irving had two screws inserted into his patella during the NBA Finals. On March 24, 2018, he was ruled out for three to six weeks after undergoing a minimally-invasive procedure to remove a tension wire in his left knee. Less than two weeks later, Irving was ruled out for the entire postseason, with a recovery time of four to five months, after another procedure was scheduled to remove two screws from his patella that were inserted in 2015 to repair a fracture he suffered during that year's NBA Finals.

July 2017: Trade request from Cavaliers

In July 2017, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, seeking to be the primary focus of his own team.

October 12, 2021: Ineligible to play due to vaccine mandate

On October 12, 2021, Kyrie Irving became ineligible to play or practice with the Nets due to New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, remaining unvaccinated.

2021: Missed NBA Season due to Vaccination Decision

Kyrie Irving's decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 led to him missing the majority of the 2021–2022 NBA season.

November 3, 2022: Suspension by the Nets

On November 3, 2022, the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five NBA games due to his failure to "unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs" and stated that he was "currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."