Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has been ruled out of Monday's meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers after picking up a back injury.
Irving, who admitted he was struggling with tightness in his lower back last week, was forced off the court midway through the third quarter on Sunday as the Cavaliers suffered a 120-109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena.
"It disturbed him today," Cleveland coach David Blatt told reporters after his side's fourth loss in five games. "He was struggling, as you saw. He gave what he had but, that's why we pulled him out early and just rested him for the rest of the game.
"Obviously that made it difficult for us, but most importantly we just didn't want to risk him, so we pulled him out."
Irving has added to Cleveland's injury concerns, with LeBron James expected to be out for at least another week with back and knee problems.
