Kyrie Irving
Getty
Kyrie Irving continues to heal from an ACL tear.
The Dallas Mavericks may not have to wait much longer for Kyrie Irving’s return.
Speaking before the Mavericks’ matchup against the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, head coach Jason Kidd hinted that the nine-time All-Star could be back sooner than expected from a torn ACL.
“We just can’t wait to get Kai back at some point,” Kidd said Saturday. “Hopefully it’s in the year ’25, not ’26. But we’ll see what happens.”
Irving Nearing Critical Recovery Stage
Irving, 33, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings and underwent surgery on March 26. It’s now been just over seven months since the procedure, and his recovery appears to be on track — possibly even ahead of schedule.
The All-Star guard has been working out on the court and doing light shooting drills for the past month, according to The Athletic, but the Mavericks had resisted setting a formal timetable until Kidd’s latest comments.
Recovery from a torn ACL typically takes nine to twelve months, meaning a potential return around late December or early January would align with the standard recovery window, which Kidd tried to downplay at Mavericks media day in September.
“When we do see Kyrie shooting, can we refrain from saying, ‘Ahead of schedule?’” Kidd told reporters at the time. “That’s bad reporting. I’m just giving you the answer to the test. He’s doing quite well, as we can see. But he’s not ahead of schedule. Let’s not say that. It’s unfair to him and the Mavs. Is he on schedule? It looks like it. A lot of positive things are happening. But the report that he’s ahead of schedule is not fair.”
Mavericks Missing Their Star Duo
The Mavericks have struggled without Irving’s playmaking and scoring. Friday’s 122-110 loss to the Pistons marked their fourth defeat in six games, dropping them below .500 early in the season.
Dallas is also without Anthony Davis, who suffered a left calf strain in Wednesday’s win over the Indiana Pacers and will miss at least two games.
Irving and Davis have shared the court for only one game since the blockbuster trade that brought them together. Davis was injured in his Mavericks debut on Feb. 8, and Irving went down just weeks later after planting awkwardly on a defender’s foot.
Cooper Flagg Learning on the Job
Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks
GettyCooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks is off to a rocky start to his rookie year under heavy expectations as the No. 1 pick.
With both stars sidelined, Kidd has turned to rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg as the team’s makeshift point guard.
The 18-year-old struggled against Detroit, scoring 16 points on 3-of-14 shooting, including 2-for-6 from beyond the arc. Through six games, he’s averaging 13.8 points on 37.3% shooting and 28.6% from three.
Still, Kidd believes the pairing of Irving and Flagg could unlock the team’s full potential.
“Kai is going to be a perfect fit with Cooper Flagg,” Kidd said. “He creates space, he’s a threat with the ball, and he’ll make things easier for Cooper. And vice versa — Cooper’s shooting and movement will open up the floor for Kai.”
What’s Next for Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks
If Irving’s recovery stays on track, late December or early January could mark his first game action since March. A healthy Irving-Davis tandem could reshape the Mavericks’ offense — and perhaps salvage what’s been a rocky start to their 2025 campaign and Flagg’s rookie year.