As the Dallas Mavericks head into the All-Star break at 19-35 and 12th in the Western Conference, the franchise’s most pressing question remains unresolved: Will Kyrie Irving return this season?
The nine-time All-Star guard addressed his status Saturday during a Twitch livestream, saying he plans to clarify his recovery and availability immediately after the break.
“I’ll give you guys an update after the All-Star break,” Irving said. “Whether it’s this year or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll speak when the time is right.”
Irving has not appeared in a game this season after tearing his ACL on March 3, 2025. Since the day after that injury, the Mavericks are 26-48 in regular-season games — a stark indicator of how dramatically his absence has altered the team’s trajectory.
Kyrie Irving Makes On-Court Progress Amid Final Stages of Rehab
Irving’s recovery has advanced steadily. Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that Irving has consistently engaged in workouts with assistant coach Phil Handy and participated in competitive one-on-one work with members of the coaching and development staff.
During multiple recent workouts observed by DallasHoopsJournal.com, Irving moved fluidly through sustained drills and live-ball sequences. He changed directions without hesitation and maintained explosiveness in game-simulation settings. While those sessions do not signal imminent clearance, they reflect a meaningful progression into the final phases of rehabilitation.
Multiple sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that Irving is expected to be physically able to play after the All-Star break. That timeline aligns with conservative return-to-play benchmarks across the NBA. A 12-month recovery window following ACL surgery is widely viewed as allowing not just physical healing but full confidence in basketball movements. The Mavericks’ first game following the break comes on Feb. 20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves — just shy of the one-year anniversary of Irving’s injury.
Irving acknowledged the mental strain of the process during his livestream.
“It’s not easy,” Irving said. “It’s not easy to come back from any injury, but you gotta be mentally, spiritually, physically ready. And the frustrating portion has been not being able to push myself to that brink, where you’re just dog tired.”
Earlier in the season, Irving emphasized patience over deadlines.
“For me, my advice, the best advice I got is just take your time. No timeline is going to be perfect. Don’t compare it to anyone else and just enjoy the process,” he said.
Long-Term Vision Centers on Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg
The broader context of Irving’s return extends beyond this season.
After trading Anthony Davis in a move aimed at financial flexibility and draft capital, league sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Mavericks continue to see strong long-term potential in pairing Irving with rookie Cooper Flagg. The two have yet to share the floor. Irving’s injury occurred months before Dallas selected Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, leaving the partnership rooted in projection.
Before the injury, Irving was playing at an All-Star level. During the 2024–25 season, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 50 games, earning his ninth All-Star selection while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.
Through 49 games this season, Flagg has averaged 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while handling primary initiation responsibilities. Internally, Dallas views Flagg’s playmaking as a way to allow Irving to operate more as an attacking scorer rather than a full-time organizer, sources said.
For now, the timeline remains Irving’s to define publicly.
His update is expected shortly after the All-Star break. Whether that clarity points to a late-season return or a full reset toward 2026–27 will significantly shape the next phase of the Mavericks’ direction.