Mavs' Kyrie Irving Races Ahead in Injury Recovery, Eyeing Early 2026 Return

In a recent interview, Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison shared encouraging news about star guard Kyrie Irving's recovery from a torn ACL. According to Harrison, Irving is making exceptional progress and could return to the court as early as January or February of the 2025-26 NBA season.

The 32-year-old Irving suffered the injury in early March and underwent successful surgery shortly after. While the typical recovery timeline for a torn ACL ranges between 8 and 12 months, Harrison's comments suggest Irving is on the faster end of that window. The Mavericks GM noted that Irving has been diligently attacking his rehabilitation, putting in two to three sessions per day.

However, the Mavericks are determined not to rush Irving's comeback, prioritizing his long-term health over urgency. "We don't want him to rush it as much as he wants to rush it, but he's going to be fine," Harrison added.

Irving's return will be a significant boost for the Mavericks, who are rebuilding their roster around Anthony Davis and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg following the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The trio of Davis, Flagg, and a healthy Irving could form a new identity for Dallas centered around length, defense, and versatility.