Jason Kidd hinted at Kyrie Irving not coming back at all this season for the Dallas Mavericks, and this is something that fans have expected for weeks. Dallas is currently 19-26 after last night's victory over the Golden State Warriors, and if they slide considerably over the next month, it probably won't even make sense to bring him back for the final month or so of the season.
"It will probably be after All-Star Break, but there’s also other plans that could come into play here too," Kidd said when asked about Irving's potential return. "Being able to get on the floor and play in the NBA game might be just a little bit different from practice."
Jason Kidd on Kyrie Irving’s potential return from his ACL tear:
“He’s working extremely hard from rehab…He feels great. At some point there will be a timeline, but right now, there is no timeline…He wants to get back. He wants to play, but when you come back from ACL, it’s a… pic.twitter.com/EkZ1Mm9G93
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) January 22, 2026
Jason Kidd's vagueness speaks volumes about Kyrie Irving's return
After the All-Star Break has always seemed like a logical time for the 15th-year guard to return to the hardwood, and while Kidd mentioned this, he also stated that "other plans" could ultimately determine how they handle this sticky situation. They need to keep Irving happy while also prioritizing their future, and this isn't an easy tightrope to walk.
While Kidd will publicly deny that the standings have something to do with Irving's plan to return, other reports and logic say otherwise. The Mavs need to focus on improving their positioning in the lottery to find a co-star for Cooper Flagg, and even ESPN reported that the standings will have a say in what Dallas decides to do with Irving.
They're not in an easy spot, and Kidd still hasn't revealed a timetable for Irving despite being asked about it multiple times in various press conferences. Despite constant rumbles about when he could be returning, Kidd isn't rushing anything. He shut down the narrative that Irving was "ahead of schedule" in his recovery on media day before the season began, and he hasn't swayed from this stance at all.
Irving has been progressing well for months now, and he should be medically cleared to play at some point before the season is over. He tore his ACL last March, and considering the type of work he has been doing in practice, he will definitely be healthy enough to play for Dallas this season if recent reporting proves true.
He has been working tirelessly since the offseason, and he is an ultra-competitor. Irving wants to get back on the floor badly, and Mavs fans can't wait to see him playing once again.
This doesn't mean that this will be the smartest thing for the Mavericks, or Irving, though. He is in year one of a three-year, $118 million deal, and now would be the absolute worst time for him to suffer another injury. Dallas needs him healthy for next season if they want to return to the NBA Playoffs, and they've already made it clear that they won't consider trading him.
After this year, the Mavs don't fully control their pick until 2031, and this is the perfect time to enter full tank mode and shut down Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Jason Kidd obviously knows that nothing is guaranteed in today's NBA, and despite Irving's desire to get back on the floor, the bigger picture may trump those hopes.