Kyrie Irving’s Recovery Continues Without a Firm Return Date, But Mavs Stay the Course
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks are still in wait-and-see mode when it comes to Kyrie Irving’s return. The star guard is recovering from ACL surgery, and while the team remains optimistic he’ll be back sometime in early 2026, there’s still no official timeline for when we’ll see him back on the floor.
Ahead of Thursday night’s home game against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd addressed Irving’s status. And while the update didn’t come with any major breakthroughs, it did offer a bit of reassurance.
“There’s no schedule still,” Kidd told reporters. “He’s still doing the things he’s supposed to… His spirits, he’s in a good place. He’s rehabbing… That’s the only update I can really give you, he’s in a good place and he’s doing everything he’s supposed to.”
That’s about as much as you can ask for at this stage in the recovery process. Irving’s rehab appears to be on track, and while there’s no concrete date circled on the calendar, the Mavericks are staying patient. They still expect him to suit up at some point during the 2025-26 campaign - but exactly when remains a question mark.
In the meantime, Dallas is trying to keep itself in the mix without one of its most dynamic offensive weapons. It hasn’t been easy. The Mavs currently sit in 12th place in the Western Conference, stuck in that gray area where the Play-In Tournament is still within reach, but the margin for error is shrinking fast.
And the challenge doesn’t get any easier Thursday night. The Pistons are rolling and come into Dallas as the top team in the East - not exactly the ideal opponent when you’re trying to claw your way back into playoff position.
There is, however, some encouraging news on the injury front for the Mavs. Anthony Davis, who had been listed as questionable with a left calf contusion, is available for the game.
That’s a big boost. Davis brings not just interior presence on both ends, but also veteran leadership that this team needs in Irving’s absence.
Joining him on the active list are D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams, and Naji Marshall - all of whom were also initially listed as questionable. With that trio cleared to play, Dallas will at least have more depth and versatility at its disposal as it tries to pull off an upset.
Tip-off at American Airlines Center is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST. As for Irving, the Mavericks - and fans - will continue to monitor his progress closely. His eventual return could be the spark this team needs, but until then, it’s about finding ways to stay afloat and compete without him.