The Dallas Mavericks are currently facing a significant decision regarding the return of their star point guard, Kyrie Irving, as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. As reported by ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the timeline for Irving's return remains uncertain, leading the Mavericks to potentially consider delaying his comeback until the next season.
Irving has not yet been cleared to participate in practice, and while he is eager to play this season, sources have indicated that discussions may arise about postponing his return due to the team's current standing in the league. On Thursday, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd provided an update, emphasizing that there is still no set timeline for Irving's return. Presently, the Mavericks find themselves ranked 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 18 wins and 26 losses, 6.5 games behind the team holding the 8th playoff spot and just 1.5 games shy of entering the play-in tournament.
Kyrie Irving sustained his ACL injury back in March 2025 and underwent surgery shortly thereafter. In June of that year, ESPN’s Shams Charania noted that the nine-time All-Star was aiming for a midseason return for the 2025-26 NBA campaign. During the training camp earlier this season, Irving expressed optimism about his recovery process, stating, "I'm right on schedule, guys," reinforcing his commitment to pushing himself and maximizing his rehabilitation efforts.
Interestingly, the Mavericks are also managing health concerns related to Anthony Davis, who has participated in only 20 games so far this season and is currently dealing with a hand injury. Despite these challenges, the team is riding a three-game winning streak and boasts the fifth-best defensive rating in the league for January, according to NBA.com.
As the Mavericks aim to improve their position in the Western Conference standings, they might be keen to integrate Irving back into the lineup alongside standout rookie Cooper Flagg. Given Irving's impressive performance last season, where he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game with exceptional shooting percentages of 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range, and 91.6% from the free-throw line, his return could be pivotal for the team's success.
