Kyrie Irving continues to progress in his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last season, and the Dallas Mavericks are taking a cautious, player-first approach to determining when he will return to game action.
According to head coach Jason Kidd, Irving’s timeline will be dictated solely by his readiness, not by Dallas’ position in the standings.
“That has nothing to do with it,” Kidd said when asked whether the team’s record would influence Irving’s comeback. “It’s about, for him, mentally and physically being able to play at the highest level in his mind. No one else’s.”
Kidd acknowledged that Irving is eager to get back on the court, but emphasized that the Mavericks will not rush the process.
Coming back from an ACL injury requires both physical recovery and mental confidence, and the organization wants to be sure Irving feels fully prepared in both areas.
“He wants to play,” Kidd said of the veteran point guard. “But when you come back from an ACL, it’s a time thing. Mentally and physically, you want to be 100 percent. So for him, he’s doing both of those things at a high level. At some point, there will be a schedule.”
Mavs Place In Standings Won't Determine When Kyrie Irving Returns https://t.co/l0oEGKqRFI
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 23, 2026
