Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving offered fans a candid update on his injury rehab during a recent Twitch stream, and the message was clear, don’t expect him back too soon. The 32-year-old guard, who suffered a torn ACL in March, acknowledged that his return timeline remains uncertain, as he prioritizes full recovery over rushing back.
“Um, don’t hold your breath on that,” Kyrie said when asked about a potential return date. “It doesn’t mean that I won’t be back, I don’t want to make any predictions on when I’m going to be back. I just want to be back a hundred fifty thousand percent better.”
“So I’m taking my time right now to really get healthy. I’m taking my time to really get my body right, other parts or portions of my body right and really just enjoy this recovery process, man. It’s not pretty.”
“Yes, it is a beautiful struggle, but I go through kind of the mental roller coaster ride, you know, every day, just want to be back out there.”
Mavericks G Kyrie Irving on if he’ll be back by the NBA Playoffs:
“Don’t hold your breath on that…I just want to be back 150,000% better.” #MFFL
(🎥: @SwishAccess) pic.twitter.com/S7oY3G4ru0
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) July 6, 2025
Irving, who was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game before the season-ending injury, emphasized that the recovery process is not just physical, but deeply mental as well.
While initial reports from NBA insider Shams Charania suggested that the Mavericks were optimistic about Kyrie returning by January 2026, Irving’s latest comments suggest he may take even longer, ensuring that he is not just ready but fully restored.
The Mavericks, however, are positioned better than most to survive his absence. After failing to reach the NBA playoffs, Dallas was gifted an unexpected lifeline: the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a 1.8% lottery miracle that landed them phenom Cooper Flagg.
Adding Flagg to a team already headlined by Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, and Klay Thompson has reinvigorated their title hopes.
Anthony Davis is expected to return at full strength next season, and with Daniel Gafford re-signed, the Mavericks have solidified their frontcourt depth. Dallas also secured insurance at the point guard position, signing D’Angelo Russell, a move designed to keep the offense humming while Kyrie recovers.
Russell’s experience and scoring prowess should help stabilize the backcourt rotation until Kyrie is ready to return.
Irving, known for his on-court artistry and off-court introspection, remains a pivotal part of Dallas’ long-term aspirations. Adding Flagg’s athleticism, Thompson’s shooting, and a rejuvenated Anthony Davis gives the Mavericks a dynamic core that could contend deep into the playoffs — if Kyrie comes back at his stated goal of “150,000%.”
The Mavericks aren’t rushing him, and neither is Kyrie. In a league filled with comebacks gone wrong, Irving is choosing patience. And if his words are any indication, when he does return, it’ll be on his terms, healthy, whole, and ready to chase a championship with a stacked Dallas roster.
