Kyrie Irving tore his ACL on March 3, 2025, prematurely ending his last season. He has yet to play for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025-26 campaign, but a huge update on Irving could change everything for Dallas over the season’s final months.
Dallas Mavericks Receive Positive News on Kyrie Irving’s Potential Return
The Mavericks never officially ruled Irving out for the season, keeping the door open for a possible return. Their plan appears to have been successful, based on the latest reports regarding his recovery timetable.
According to Dallas Hoop Journal’s Grant Afseth, the star point guard could return after the 2026 All-Star Break. The break runs from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 in Los Angeles.
Kyrie Irving is expected to return after the All-Star break, per @DALHoopsJournal
“While the Mavericks have not publicly communicated a return timetable for Irving, sources tell https://t.co/9ddvLmNMup there has been no indication he will be shut down for the season. Instead,… pic.twitter.com/pyzp43Y39a
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 13, 2026
“While the Mavericks have not publicly communicated a return timetable for Irving, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com there has been no indication he will be shut down for the season … Irving’s return would more realistically come after the NBA All-Star break as it stands, rather than before it.”
When the nine-time All-Star returns to the hardwood, he likely operates under a strict minutes restriction and sits out one game of back-to-back sets. However, Irving’s calming presence as an offensive orchestrator, shot creator, and veteran leader could help put the Mavericks back on the right track. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and shot 40.1% from beyond the arc in 2024-25.
Dallas sits outside the postseason picture, 12th in the Western Conference, with a 15-25 record. Their 109.2 offensive rating ranks 28th in the association. Head coach Jason Kidd has spent the majority of the campaign searching for an answer at point guard with Irving sidelined.
The Mavericks started the campaign with Cooper Flagg at point guard, but the rookie phenom got off to a slow start. Kidd then went to D’Angelo Russell at the one, but he fell out of the rotation.
Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard have filled most of the starting point guard duties, and Flagg is now thriving in his natural forward position. He puts up 19.1 points, 6.4 boards, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 48.0% shooting. Irving’s potential return gives Dallas another go-to scorer to take the pressure off Flagg as the only volume shot creator in the starting lineup.
Anthony Davis’ Injury Lowers Mavericks’ Postseason Chances
Despite a rough record, Dallas remains 2.5 games back of a play-in spot. However, Anthony Davis’ latest injury significantly lowered the team’s chances of turning its season around. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the star big man will undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand. Davis will miss months, essentially ending his season.
Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis is likely to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand and miss several months, sources tell ESPN. His Dallas season is essentially over, given the prognosis and the Mavs’ direction. pic.twitter.com/lwa7o1VcpF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2026
Even if Irving plays for multiple months with Flagg, Davis’ absence leaves a giant hole in the Mavericks’ frontcourt. They likely lack the firepower to make a surprising run in the playoffs.
