Since March 2025, Kyrie Irving has been sidelined due to an ACL tear sustained during a game versus the Sacramento Kings. After the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic in the middle of the season, the guard was leading the club, but he was benched a month later.
Due to Irving’s injury, Dallas basically had the losses necessary to qualify for the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, which they ultimately won and used to choose Cooper Flagg. The Mavs were given a multi-year opportunity with a generational player like Flagg, instead of a two-year window to maximize Irving and Anthony Davis.
Kyrie Irving speaks about getting back to full fitness
The Mavericks have not disclosed their injury schedule, but they still plan to contend for a championship this season. On a livestream, Irving provided some information about his recuperation, which was a dismal update for Mavs supporters hoping for a return next season. He said:
“Don’t hold your breath on that… I just want to be back 150,000% better. I’m taking my time right now to really get healthy… I just want to be back out there.”
Kyrie Irving if he’ll be back for playoffs
“Don’t hold your breath on that… I just want to be back 150,000% better. I’m taking my time right now to really get healthy… I just want to be back out there.”
(h/t @SwishAccess)pic.twitter.com/qW7qy7UV9H
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 6, 2025
According to Irving’s remarks, he will decide whether to go back when it’s best for his health. Irving, a guard at 33, cannot afford to pressure himself to make a quick comeback. Irving agreeing to a new multi-year contract with the team is also advantageous to them.
He never took the time he needed to recuperate, so it might be preferable to lose one year to get the most out of the final two than to have three years of continually being hampered.
