The Dallas Mavericks confirmed Wednesday that Kyrie Irving will not return this season as he continues recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery performed in 2025.Irving, who tore his ACL on March 3 in a game against the Sacramento Kings, has not appeared in an NBA contest in nearly a year. He logged just over nine minutes and scored seven points in that matchup before suffering the injury that ended his season.
Speculation had lingered about a late-season comeback, especially with standard recovery timelines suggesting it was possible. Head coach Jason Kidd had previously voiced optimism about a potential return before year’s end. But with Dallas sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and prioritizing draft positioning, the organization ultimately chose patience. Irving said in a statement through the Mavericks: “This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one. I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows. And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”
His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, echoed that sentiment in comments to ESPN’s Shams Charania, emphasizing long-term goals: “This is about Kyrie being 1000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season.”
Before the injury, Irving was playing at an All-Star level, averaging 24.7 points while shooting 40.1% from three. The nine-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers remains under contract for two more seasons, with a player option for 2027–28.
Dallas’ season has unraveled in other ways as well. After reaching the NBA Finals in 2024 behind Irving and Luka Dončić, the roster has since undergone major changes. Dončić is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, and former executive Nico Harrison was dismissed in November. Anthony Davis, once part of the team’s core, was later dealt in a move signaling a reset. Looking ahead to Irving’s return next fall, alongside a healthy Dereck Lively II (who also underwent season-ending surgery) Dallas could rebound with a much-needed boost.
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