Mavericks Issue Major Announcement on Kyrie Irving
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks' picture for 2025-26 and beyond won't be complete without Kyrie Irving ... and suddenly there is some optimism regarding the All-Star's rehab process and a possibly brighter picture. ...
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Sooner.
In a conversation on the "DLLS Dallas Mavericks Podcast," Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd provided positive insight regarding Irving's recovery timeline from the devastating ACL tear that derailed both the star guard's and the team's 2024-25 season.
While the typical recovery period for an ACL tear ranges from 10 to 12 months, Kidd's comments suggest Irving could return to the court earlier than expected.
"We know he won't be back until January, February, March," Kidd said during his podcast appearance. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's back early."
Kidd was careful not to commit to a specific timeline, adding, "I didn't want to put a time limit on it, because I don't want to be held to, 'Well, you said January,' so we got to give me some leeway there."
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Irving suffered the injury in early March, effectively ending what had already become a challenging season for the Mavericks. Previous reports indicated the organization was targeting a January return for Irving, which would mark approximately 10 months of recovery time.
Kidd's assessment of Irving's rehabilitation progress appears overwhelmingly positive.
"As you know, he documents everything, so just talking to him, his spirit, he's in the right frame of mind," Kidd noted, highlighting the eight-time All-Star's mental approach to recovery.
With Irving sidelined for at least the first two months of the 2025-26 campaign, the Mavericks face critical roster decisions this offseason. Kidd acknowledged the team is exploring options to temporarily fill the void at point guard.
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"Being able to build the roster, maybe looking for a player that can fill that void until he can get back, also a player that can play with [Kyrie], also a player that might not play as much when [Kyrie] comes back," Kidd explained, outlining the complex calculus facing the front office.
Dante Exum and Spencer Dinwiddie handled playmaking duties in Irving's absence last season, but both enter free agency this summer, leaving the Mavericks with significant decisions to make.
The organization must also balance urgency with prudence regarding Irving's return timeline. At 34 years old by next March, rushing back from such a significant injury carries substantial risk, regardless of Irving's determination to return ahead of schedule.
Jason Kidd (right) And Kyrie Irving (left)By Tony Fisher
As the offseason unfolds, the organization's approach to temporarily replacing Irving while simultaneously building around the future Flagg-Irving pairing will be closely watched by Mavericks faithful eager for a return to contention.
Related: Micah Parsons and Mark Cuban Offer Their Keys to Success
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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