The Dallas Mavericks are not having the kind of season their fans hoped for. Now with a 19-35 record, they are 12th in the Western Conference standings and struggling to look like a real playoff contender. However, despite all the setbacks, there is an update that could lift the mood around the franchise.
Kyrie Irving Reveals Where He Is in His Injury Rehab
Just last month, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd told reporters that the team was expecting Irving to rejoin them after the All-Star Weekend wrapped up.
“It will probably be after the All-Star break, but there’s also other plans that could come into play here, too. Being able to get on the floor and play in an NBA game might be just a little bit different than practice,” Kidd said during an interview.
But the thing is, until now, there haven’t been any solid reports on exactly when Irving would actually be back on the court. Now, Irving himself has issued an update that should make Mavericks supporters smile. The 2016 NBA champion made a strong statement, saying he’ll return to the team when he feels 150% ready to play.
“My rehab is going well. Whenever I’m a hundred and fifty percent healthy, I’ll be back. I want to be better than where I was. So that’s saying a lot. It’s a big hill to climb, but it’s worth it,” Irving recently said during an interview.
Kyrie Irving on when he will return
“My rehab is going well. Whenever I’m a hundred and fifty percent healthy, I’ll be back. I want to be better than where I was. So that’s saying a lot. It’s a big hill to climb, but it’s worth it.”
(h/t @winigoat7)pic.twitter.com/F92SnlvwFD
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 13, 2026
Irving entered the NBA after being picked first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he made his professional debut in December of that year. By the end of that season, he had earned accolades like the Rookie of the Year honors. Then, in 2023, he got traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Mavericks.
Last season, Irving started well in Dallas. It was because averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game through 50 games. But then disaster struck on March 3 during a home game against the Sacramento Kings as he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Just like that, his season was over.
The Mavericks tried to push on without their star guard. They managed to squeeze into the Play-In Tournament. They first defeated the Sacramento Kings. But their run ended when they got eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies. This brought their season to a close.
Still, it remains unclear exactly when Irving will return to the lineup. But one thing is clear that he has a strong determination to come back strong.
