Dallas Mavericks star point guard Kyrie Irving remains sidelined for the foreseeable future as he recovers from a torn left ACL.

However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks are optimistic the nine-time All-Star will be available for the majority of next season.

Kyrie Irving Could Return From Torn ACL by January 2026

Irving sustained his season-ending ACL tear early in Dallas’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on March 3, later undergoing successful surgery on March 26. His injury came as he was seeking to help his squad stay afloat in his new co-star Anthony Davis’ absence due to a left adductor strain.

Given the timing of Irving’s setback, many assumed he would miss most of the Mavericks’ 2025-26 campaign, hindering the aging team’s title contention hopes.

During a Wednesday appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” Charania provided fans with a more concrete timeline for the 2016 NBA champion’s recovery. According to the league insider, Irving could return by the start of the new year.

“The expectation around the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, is that he will play a good chunk of next season,” Charania said. “There’s optimism that he will be back by January.”

Assuming Irving returns by the start of January, that would likely cost him around 30 to 35 games next season. Such a scenario would give him ample time to gear up for a potential 2026 playoff run.

The shorthanded Mavericks finished this season 10th in the Western Conference (39-43), securing a play-in spot. Across 50 appearances with Irving, they went 28-22, contrasting their paltry 11-21 record without him.

The dynamic offensive guard averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.9 3-pointers per game. He did so on elite 47.3/40.1/91.6 shooting splits.

Irving Expected To Be Offered 3-Year Contract Extension

When healthy, Irving performed at arguably an All-NBA-caliber level in Year 14. While it could take him time to return to form, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison is reportedly ready to bet on the veteran guard.

Per Charania, Harrison plans to nullify Irving’s looming $44 million player option for next season by offering him a three-year contract extension this summer.

“He’s got, before that, a $44 million player option. That’s the next situation that Nico Harrison, the Mavericks, will have to deal with,” Charania said. “And the goal for the Mavericks has been to rip up his player option and give him a three-year deal potentially to align him with Nico Harrison’s three years and Anthony Davis’ three years.

Thus, it appears Dallas will go all in on its seasoned core despite outside noise about age and injury concerns.