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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is approaching a critical stage in his recovery after being sidelined since March 2025 with a torn ACL.
Recovery from ACL surgery typically spans nine-to-12 months, with the latter portion of that window often focused on restoring full explosiveness, lateral movement, and on-court confidence.
As Irving nears that benchmark, attention has increasingly shifted towards when, not if, he might return.
Reports earlier this season offered conflicting outlooks. ESPN’s Tim McMahon suggested Dallas could consider holding Irving out for the remainder of the season, particularly given the team’s injury struggles and position in the standings.
However, no official timetable has been announced, leaving his return timeline open-ended.
That uncertainty, though, may soon be resolved.
Dallas Mavericks Emphasize Collaborative Approach to Kyrie Irving’s Return
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has previously dismissed the notion that the team’s record would dictate Irving’s return, emphasizing that the decision would ultimately center on the player’s readiness.
NBA insider Marc Stein reinforced that stance on Monday, reporting that the decision “will be a collaborative one” between Irving and the organization.
Stein added that Irving will get “a strong say on his preference.”
Irving himself provided the clearest signal yet during a livestream on Saturday, indicating that clarity could arrive very soon.
“You guys will definitely get an update soon, on everything, after All-Star break,” Irving said. “For all you guys asking questions, just about, am I excited about this year, or am I excited about next year—it doesn’t really matter, guys. I’ll give you an update when the time is right.”
For a Mavericks team currently caught in a nine-game losing streak and searching for stability, the possibility of Irving’s return offers a rare source of encouragement.
Still, Dallas faces a delicate balance. The team’s recent slide has left it seven games outside the play-in picture, raising legitimate questions about whether accelerating Irving’s return would align with the franchise’s long-term priorities.
Dallas Mavericks Maintain Optimism as Irving’s Recovery Progresses
Despite the uncertainty, multiple reports have consistently indicated that Irving remains on track to return this season rather than being ruled out entirely.
Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal previously reported that Irving’s recovery was progressing towards a post-All-Star break return, aligning with the current stage of his rehabilitation.
“While the Mavericks have not publicly communicated a return timetable for Irving, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com there has been no indication he will be shut down for the season,” Afseth wrote.
“Instead, the prevailing expectation is that Irving’s return would more realistically come after the NBA All-Star break as it stands, rather than before it.”
Earlier in his recovery process, Andscape’s Marc J. Spears reported that Irving was “ahead of schedule,” with a potential return window initially projected for late January or shortly after All-Star weekend.
Spears also noted that Irving’s timeline could have accelerated further if the Mavericks were firmly in playoff contention, highlighting the cautious approach Dallas has taken.
More recently, Afseth offered an encouraging firsthand assessment after observing Irving during a workout.
“From a firsthand perspective, Irving’s progress has been evident,” he added. “During a workout observed while the Mavericks were on the road, he looked sharp, explosive, and efficient as he moved through a full on-court session.”
As Irving nears the final phase of his recovery, the Dallas Mavericks now appear closer than ever to receiving definitive clarity.
Whether that results in a return this season or a continued cautious approach, an official update, as Irving himself promised, appears imminent.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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