Torn Achilles sidelines Puerto Rico’s Barea for NBA Mavs

WASHINGTON: Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea, who helped the club capture the 2011 NBA crown, will be sidelined indefinitely after an MRI on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) 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.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (No. 13) dunks between San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, left, and forward Davis Bertans (No. 42) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City on Sunday.