A big Kyrie Irving injury update has just dropped. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Dallas Mavericks are preparing for the possibility that the All-Star point guard could sit out the entire 2025-26 season — contrary to earlier reports that Irving was targeting a return by March.
“Kyrie is not coming back before the trade deadline,” MacMahon said on his “Howdy Partners” podcast, via ClutchPoints.
“I don’t know at this point if Kyrie is playing this season,” added the Mavericks beat writer. “I know he wants to. We’ll see if that’s in his best interest. We’ll see if it’s in the franchise’s best interest. Those are things that need to be sorted out.”
The 2016 NBA Champion has been sidelined since he tore the ACL in his left knee during a game in early March 2025. Typically, the recovery timeline for an ACL injury tends to be around nine-to-12 months, meaning Irving could be nearing full fitness.
Anthony Davis Injured Again
The update comes amid Anthony Davis suffering a left hand injury during Thursday night’s 107-105 loss to the Utah Jazz.
It was previously believed that the Mavericks would have the ammunition to make a strong playoff push after the All-Star break when Irving joins Davis, Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington and the rest of the loaded Mavericks roster. However, the Davis injury — amid rumors of the Mavericks exploring a trade for All-Star big man — could completely alter the franchise’s plans going forward.
To that end, MacMahon highlighted that, even if Irving were to return at some point in the regular season, the Mavericks may not have enough time to assess the fit of Davis, Irving and Flagg together, and whether it makes sense to hold onto Davis.
“With Patrick Dumont in that decision-making seat, what he wants is to see the core trio, and that’s Kyrie Irving, yes, [Anthony] Davis, then Cooper Flagg together before making any major decisions,” said MacMahon.
“…Even if he [Irving] did [return], it would be a tiny sample size. So you’re not going to have that luxury of that evaluation period before one major decision needs to be made, and whether that’s trade him or don’t trade him. Either way, it is a major decision.”
Kyrie Irving Return Timeline
Although Irving has tried to pump the brakes on a possible return this season, his head coach, Jason Kidd, and insiders around the Maericks have been very optimistic of his return at some point during the 2025-26 season.
In November, Andscape’s Marc J. Spears noted that Irving was “ahead of schedule” in his recovery and could return by late January or the All-Star Break. Kidd also said in November that he was confident about getting Irving back by late 2025 or early 2026, comments that provided great optimism to the Mavericks fanbase.
In recent weeks, Anthony Davis has spoken candidly about his excitement for Kyrie Irving’s return.
“Obviously, he is a hell of a player, a Hall of Famer,” Davis said of Irving. “He changes the dynamic for our team. When he gets back, we are going to be an even better team.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Mavericks Get Crucial Kyrie Irving Injury Update Amid Anthony Davis Setback appeared first on Heavy Sports.