Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has been sidelined since March 2025 after suffering a torn ACL, but signs are beginning to point towards a long-awaited return.
As injuries continue to pile up for Dallas, optimism has quietly grown around the 33-year-old’s recovery.
NBA Hall of Famer and analyst Reggie Miller has suggested that Irving could be targeting a mid-February return, a timeline that would align with the standard nine-to-12-month recovery window for ACL injuries.
Even without a firm timetable, the broader picture indicates the Mavericks’ star guard is entering the final stages of rehabilitation.
Kyrie Irving’s Return Could Shift Dallas’ Season
Despite a season defined by injuries, Dallas has shown unexpected resilience. Led by rookie Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have won three straight games and currently sit 12th in the Western Conference at 18-26.
Earlier indications following Anthony Davis’ latest injury pointed toward a deeper slide down the standings. Instead, Dallas now sits just two games outside the play-in zone, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise turbulent campaign.
Irving’s potential return would represent a significant competitive boost if the Mavericks can continue building momentum.
Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal previously reported that Irving was expected to return this season, with the strongest possibility coming after the All-Star break.
“While the Mavericks have not publicly communicated a return timetable for Irving, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com there has been no indication he will be shut down for the season,” Afseth wrote.
“Instead, the prevailing expectation is that Irving’s return would more realistically come after the NBA All-Star break as it stands, rather than before it.”
Kyrie Irving Nearing the Final Stage of Recovery
Dallas’ first game following the All-Star break is a February 20 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a date that looms as a potential checkpoint for Irving’s availability.
That timing would place his return just shy of the 12-month mark since the initial injury, consistent not only with physical recovery but also with the confidence required to move freely and explosively post-surgery.
Back in November, Andscape’s Marc J. Spears reported that Irving was “ahead of schedule” in his rehabilitation and suggested a return by late January or after the All-Star break.
Spears added that, if the Mavericks were in a playoff situation, Irving would likely accelerate his timeline to get back on the floor sooner.
“Optimistic-wise, probably around late January, All-Star break,” Spears said. “Someone close to him told me that if it was the playoffs, he could play right now. That’s how ahead of schedule he is.”
More recently, Afseth offered further encouragement after observing Irving in person.
“From a firsthand perspective, Irving’s progress has been evident,” Afseth added. “During a workout observed while the Mavericks were on the road, he looked sharp, explosive, and efficient as he moved through a full on-court session.”
For a Mavericks team starved of positive injury news, Irving’s impending return represents a rare source of optimism.
If he does make it back around the All-Star break, Dallas could find itself with just enough time and momentum to make a late-season push.
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