Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving says his rehabilitation is moving forward steadily, five months after surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. The team describes his recovery as ahead of schedule while continuing to urge patience.
“I was in the gym doing a little bit more as well,” Irving said. “That’s the second update. I was in the gym doing a little bit more. I won’t tell you exactly what I was doing because it’s all about incremental growth, but I can share with y’all — it was some good days in the gym. I’m healing up great. To this date today on the 26th, this will be five months post-surgery.”
Kyrie Irving’s Surgery and Rehabilitation
Irving, 33, tore the ligament during a Mavericks game on March 3 and underwent surgery on March 26 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Dr. Riley J. Williams, who has overseen multiple high-profile athlete procedures, performed the operation.
The initial recovery stages focused on reducing swelling and restoring the range of motion. Viral social media posts showed Irving walking with assistance and using resistance bands in the early weeks. By midsummer, he was seen advancing to strength-building work, though he had avoided publicly detailing his regimen.
The standard return window for professional athletes following ACL reconstruction is eight to 12 months. That places Irving’s target date between January and mid-2026, though he has cautioned fans not to expect a firm timetable.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison previously said Irving is “ahead of schedule” but stressed that the organization will not rush him back.
Commitment to Dallas Mavericks
Irving opted against testing free agency this summer, instead signing a three-year, $119 million contract to remain with Dallas. Harrison called him a “cornerstone piece” for the franchise and compared his recovery discipline to Kobe Bryant’s famously rigorous approach to injuries.
Despite being limited to 50 games last season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, earning his ninth All-Star selection. The Mavericks failed to make the playoffs but secured the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting highly touted forward Cooper Flagg. Pairing Flagg with Irving and Anthony Davis gives Dallas hope for a new core to stabilize the post–Luka Dončić era.
Irving has framed his rehabilitation as both physical and spiritual, emphasizing gratitude and mental focus. “GOD 1st always through all my endeavors,” he posted earlier in his recovery, thanking fans for their support.
While Irving continues what he calls the “incremental growth” phase of rehab, the Mavericks maintain his return will be guided only by health benchmarks, not external timelines.
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