Kyrie Irving has never been afraid to speak his truth, but his recent comments on his personal Twitch stream may have been his most vulnerable and powerful yet.
While addressing viewers during a live broadcast, the Dallas Mavericks guard opened up about his ongoing recovery, the toll of mental health struggles, and the deep emotional battles he’s faced behind the scenes.
“It is men’s mental health awareness, but this is about awareness of your mental health. You know what I’m saying? I’m on here because this is helping me with my mental health as well. You know what I mean?”
“It’s getting me out of my comfort zone. It’s getting me to create more boundaries with myself. I’m way more driven, you know what I’m saying? And it’s helping me heal. If you’re just now joining in as well, this stream is helping me heal. That’s as simple as I can put it.”
“I’m at my house watching the finals going on. I’m recovering from my ACL injury. I could be bogged down. I could be depressed in a way where I don’t want to share this with you guys. But this is the raw, unfiltered, uncut stuff that you guys are going to get because you deserve it.”
“When I say they, I mean I’ve allowed people to spin the narrative. I’ve allowed people to get in my head and do things that, to be honest with you, I shouldn’t have been paying attention to. I took advice from the wrong people at times. I allowed people to violate my spiritual boundaries and that led to a spiral of emotions.”
“I know what it feels like to feel like you’re losing it all and feel like you don’t want to be on earth anymore. Please, please, you guys, for Mental Health Awareness Month. I know it’s Men’s Mental Health Awareness, but this is for every day.”
“Please, please, don’t stay quiet. Please don’t go on your shell. I just wanted to take this time to let you know that I care. Anybody in the chat, please, please reach out to your loved ones. Check in on your loved ones. Check on their mental health. Check on their spiritual health. Check in on them.”
“That doesn’t mean you’ve got to reach out every day, but just call. How you doing? I love you, man. I love you. So I love each and every one of you guys. Thank you for the support.”
Kyrie Irving on Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month:
“I’m watching the Finals, recovering from my ACL injury—I could be bogged down or depressed. But I’m sharing this unfiltered because you deserve it. I let people spin narratives, get into my head, violate my spiritual… pic.twitter.com/mYlhkI3mLE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 15, 2025
Irving tore his ACL in March 2025, a devastating injury that not only ended his season but raised concerns about his availability for the 2025-26 campaign. While early estimates suggest a possible return around the All-Star break, the road to recovery has clearly tested him in more ways than just physically. For Irving, this Twitch stream was more than entertainment; it was therapy.
Irving’s comments come during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a period where vulnerability, healing, and openness are encouraged, particularly in spaces where those conversations are often ignored.
For one of the NBA’s most polarizing figures to step forward and share this powerful message, it hits differently. It’s honest. It’s human.
The former NBA champion has had a career filled with brilliance and controversy. From championship glory in Cleveland to turbulent exits from Boston and Brooklyn, Kyrie has seen the highs and lows of fame and scrutiny.
And on his stream, he admitted how outside voices and bad influences have, at times, broken through his mental and spiritual armor.
Yet amid the adversity, Kyrie is focused on healing and encouraging others to do the same. His message to fans was clear: don’t stay silent.
For someone whose on-court magic has captivated millions, it’s this kind of off-court honesty that truly resonates. Kyrie Irving isn’t just recovering from an ACL tear—he’s rebuilding himself. And this time, he’s bringing others with him.
