The Dallas Mavericks showcased their resilience and depth as they secured a hard-fought 125-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, but the win was overshadowed by the injury to star player Kyrie Irving. Luka Doncic continued his stellar performances, contributing 32 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Dante Exum stepped up in the absence of Grant Williams with an impressive 23 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds.

The Mavericks burst out of the gates, building an 18-point lead in the opening nine minutes, riding the momentum of their previous dominant victories. however, their momentum was disrupted when Irving suffered a right foot injury following a collision with teammate Dwight Powell. Despite losing Irving and seeing the Blazers mount a comeback, Dallas managed to hold on to secure the win.

Irving's injury occurred with 3:30 left in the first half when he collided with Powell while driving to the basket. After a few minutes on the court, Irving was able to make both free throws before leaving the game with the assistance of the training staff. The extent of Irving's injury is still unclear, but he remained in the locker room for treatment following the incident.

"It's tough, but we've got to have his back, next-man mentality," said Tim Hardaway Jr., who played a crucial role off the bench with 20 points. "I'm glad we came out with a victory."

Coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Irving had not been taken from the arena after the injury and continued to receive treatment in the locker room. Despite the injury setback, the Mavericks displayed their resilience and depth, with players like Exum stepping up to fill the void left by Irving's absence.

"I think one of the biggest things you see with our team is the next man up mentality," Exum said. "You see that right now, me as an example... Hopefully [Irving's] not out for too long. But, you know, we have a deep roster that's willing and ready to step up."

The victory marked the Mavericks' second consecutive win after a string of losses. They showed their dominance by outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 220-138 over the past six quarters, including the win against the Thunder and the recent rout of the Utah Jazz.

However, the win came at a cost, and the injury to Irving dampened an otherwise impressive performance by the Mavericks. The team now faces the challenge of navigating upcoming games without their star player, with the hope of his return soon.

As they look ahead, the Mavericks have a challenging schedule, with a rematch against the Trail Blazers next week, followed by two more matchups in early January. Their next test comes against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, as they aim to maintain their winning momentum despite the challenging circumstances.

Despite the setback, the Mavericks displayed their determination and adaptability against the Blazers, proving that they have what it takes to overcome adversity and compete at a high level. As fans eagerly await updates on Irving's condition, the team remains focused on their next opponents and the next man up mentality that has become their rallying cry.