Kidd and the Mavs are prioritizing Irving's long-term health and next season plans.
Kyrie Irving will not step on the court this 2025-26 season.
News broke out that the Dallas Mavericks have officially ruled Irving out for the rest of the year as he continues to recover from his torn ACL in his left knee.
On Thursday, head coach Jason Kidd finally addressed the franchise's decision to shut down the franchise guard.
"Long-term health. We want to make sure he's ready to go for next season," Kidd told reporters, via Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
"For him, at practice, some of the things that he's working on, he looks good. I think as we get into March and April, we want him to keep going in the right direction. For that decision he made, we're thinking about the long-term of his health and for us being healthy going into next season."
Irving sustained his ACL injury in March last year.
In the wake of Anthony Davis' trade departure, there were expectations already that the Mavs would keep Irving out for the rest of the year. With a 19-35 record, they are currently in the No. 12 spot of the West standings.
With a healthy Irving, a much-imporoved Cooper Flagg and a potential lottery prospect from the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft, the Mavericks can only be optimistic to bounce back next season.
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