The Dallas Mavericks are expected to postpone star point guard Kyrie Irving’s return from a torn ACL until next season, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“He has yet to be cleared to practice, and while Irving has made it clear that he hopes to play this season, sources anticipate that, considering the Mavs’ place in the standings, there will be discussions about postponing his comeback until next season,” MacMahon reported Thursday.
Jason Kidd Provides Update On Kyrie Irving
Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said Thursday that’s there’s no timeline for Irving’s return.
“He’s working extremely hard from rehab… He feels great,” Kidd told reporters. “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 time thing.
“At some point, there will be a schedule. It will probably be after All-Star Break, but there’s also other plans that could come into play here too. 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
Irving suffered the torn ACL in March 2025 and underwent surgery later that month.
In June 2025, ESPN’s Shams Charania said the 2016 NBA champ was targeting a “January-February period” for his return this season. Irving also revealed that he was making steady progress in his rehab during training camp.
According to DallasHoopsJournal.com, Irving was slated to return after the All-Star break.
However, the Mavericks are in no rush to bring Irving back this season, as they currently rank 12th in the Western Conference standings and sit 1½ games behind the final play-in spot.
Irving Signed Extension With Mavericks
During the offseason, Irving agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension after declining his $43 million player option for next season. The extension gives him an additional $76 million.
His player option was part of the three-year, $126 million deal he signed in 2023.
In 50 games (all starts) last season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 36.1 minutes per contest while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from 3-point range, and 91.6% from the foul line.
Per Basketball Reference, he was the only NBA player last season to average at least 20 points on 40% shooting from beyond the arc and 90% from the free throw line.
The Mavericks are taking their time with Irving after everything that has transpired with Anthony Davis.
Dallas used 47 different starting lineups last season due to injuries, tied for the fourth most by any team since starters were first tracked in 1970-71.
