Torn Achilles sidelines Puerto Rico’s Barea for NBA Mavs

WASHINGTON: Dallas Mavericks guard JJ Barea, who helped the club capture the 2011 NBA crown, will be sidelined indefinitely after an MRI on Saturday revealed a torn right Achilles tendon.

Barea suffered the injury after landing from a layup late in the fouth quarter of a 119-115 Dallas victory at Minnesota.

The 34-year-old Puerto Rican has averaged 10.9 points and 5.6 assists as the first man off the Mavericks bench this season after a 2017-18 campaign with career bests of 11.6 points, 6.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds a contest.

Barea is in his 13th NBA campaign and his second five- season stint with Dallas after three years in between with Minnesota.

At 20-22, the Mavericks are 12th in the NBA Western Conference, 2 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth and final West playoff berth.