Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving is still on the mend and has yet to play this season. A new update regarding his status could push his return further down the line.
What Happened to Kyrie Irving?
The last time Irving played in an NBA game was on March 3, 2025. With two-and-a-half minutes left in the first quarter, he aggressively drove to the basket, as fans have grown accustomed to seeing.
As he tried to elevate for a layup, though, his left knee gave out and he crumpled to the floor. He would leave the game, and it would later be announced that he tore his left ACL.
The timeline for his return has yet to be determined, but a recent update suggests that he could be out for the rest of the season. As per Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Mavs and Irving will talk about the possibility of keeping him out until the 2026-27 season.
“Sources anticipate that, considering the Mavs’ place in the standings, there will be discussion about postponing his comeback until next season,” MacMahon wrote.
Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks will be having discussions about postponing his return until next season, per @BannedMacMahon pic.twitter.com/rImtKxf56p
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 22, 2026
Earlier, Irving had expressed a desire to make a comeback within this season. A report from Marc J. Spears even said that he was working out with the intent of meeting that goal.
However, a return is making even less sense the deeper the season gets for the Mavs. Ahead of their game against the Golden State Warriors tonight (Thursday, Jan. 22), they are 12th in the West with an 18-26 record.
A return from Irving would bolster their backcourt, but it’s extremely unlikely that it would propel them into a true playoff competitor. That’s because he isn’t the only player on the roster out for an extended period.
Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum are both going to miss the rest of the season, as they have both undergone season-ending injuries. Anthony Davis also continues to deal with various injuries that keep him out of the lineup.
These absences will keep prevent the Mavs from being competitive even if Irving manages to come back. As such, allowing Irving to recover so he’s completely healthy for next season fully might be a wiser move.
Additionally, it is common for players to miss an entire season after injuries such as these. While a return from Irving after less than a season of recovery would certainly be impressive, it’s unlikely to significantly impact the Mavericks’ standing.
