The Dallas Mavericks will move forward without one of their franchise cornerstones for the rest of the season, as star guard Kyrie Irving continues his recovery from knee surgery. The team announced Wednesday that Irving, who underwent a procedure last March to repair a torn left ACL, will not return this season and is targeting a comeback in 2026-27.
In a statement, the Mavericks said Irving is making “steady progress” in his rehabilitation and will remain actively involved with the team. His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, emphasized that the priority is ensuring he is fully healthy for next season and positioned to pursue a championship at full strength.
There remains some optimism that Irving could return to practice before the season concludes, offering a chance to build on-court chemistry with rookie standout Cooper Flagg. However, the organization has made clear that it will not rush the nine-time All-Star back into game action.
Irving, 33, also missed the final 20 games of last season after suffering the injury. In his own statement, he acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but expressed gratitude for the support of the organization, his teammates and fans, adding that his motivation has only intensified during the recovery process.
Since arriving in Dallas during the 2022-23 campaign, Irving has significantly impacted the franchise’s fortunes. The Mavericks are 75-53 in games he has played and 42-75 when he has been sidelined. This season, however, has been challenging regardless. Dallas enters the stretch run after the All-Star break at 19-35, fourth in the Southwest Division.
Earlier this month, the franchise underscored a broader reset by trading Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in a nine-player deal, signaling a shift toward the future. Irving’s absence ensures that transition will continue for the remainder of the year, with an eye firmly fixed on next season.
