The Dallas Mavericks confirmed on Wednesday that guard Kyrie Irving will not play at any point during the 2025-26 NBA season as he continues to recuperate from ACL reconstruction surgery performed earlier this year. Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025, and despite steady rehabilitation and partial on-court work, the team has decided to prioritize full recovery by ruling out any possibility of a return this season.
While sidelined, Irving will remain involved with the Mavericks organization and continue his recovery under the guidance of the team’s medical and performance staff. His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, expressed the priority on a thorough healing process in remarks made to ESPN.
This is about Kyrie being 1000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season,
Riley Irving told ESPN.
Irving himself acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but affirmed its necessity in the team’s official statement.
This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,
Irving said.
I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows. And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!
Why There Will Be No Return for Irving in 2025-26
The Mavericks’ announcement concludes months of speculation that Irving might return after the All-Star break. Notably, the team did not seek a disabled player exception for Irving ahead of the January 15 deadline, unlike for Dereck Lively II and Danté Exum, both sidelined for the season. This choice indicated that while a return was once contemplated, the organization ultimately committed to a longer recovery plan.
Before the All-Star break, Irving was often seen training in isolated drills with assistant coach Phil Handy and other coaching staff. Observers from DallasHoopsJournal.com noted he looked sharp and explosive, capable of creating space on jump shots and finishing with fluidity. However, he had yet to progress to sustained five-on-five scrimmage, an essential phase in return-to-play protocols.
Throughout his rehabilitation, Irving avoided setting strict timelines, choosing instead to respond to how his body felt, a stance that coincided with the Mavericks’ decision to favor a comprehensive recovery over a rushed comeback attempt. Restarting his career next season will mean nearly 600 days—around 19 and a half months—will have elapsed since his last NBA game.
Long-Term Contract Highlights Mavericks’ Commitment to Irving
Irving is in the first year of a fully guaranteed, three-year contract extension with Dallas worth $118.5 million, averaging $39.5 million annually. For the 2025-26 season, he is slated to earn about $36.6 million, with his salary rising to roughly $39.5 million in 2026-27 and $42.4 million in 2027-28. The final year of his deal includes a player option, with a decision expected by June 29, 2027, coupled with a 15% trade bonus.
This contract structure reflects the Mavericks’ emphasis on a long-term strategy rather than short-term gains. By safeguarding Irving’s full rehabilitation, Dallas is protecting a substantial financial and competitive investment aligned with the franchise’s pursuit of a championship within the coming years.
Mavericks Shaping Future Around Irving and Rookie Cooper Flagg
As Dallas enters the All-Star break with a 19-35 record and 12th place in the Western Conference, the organization’s focus has shifted from immediate results toward the 2026-27 season. The priority is no longer trying to salvage the current campaign but building toward a future when Irving and rookie Cooper Flagg can develop on-court chemistry.
Irving has praised Flagg’s impact on the team, emphasizing the young player’s exceptional talent.
Cooper is just an amazing player, and that’s not even just gassing it,
Irving said.
At 19 years old, doing the things that he’s doing within our league is very special… I don’t want to mince my words either. He’s doing things that some of the greats, even before him, didn’t do. He’s chasing history.
Irving’s endorsement carries significant weight, considering he is a nine-time All-Star entering his 15th NBA season. Flagg has demonstrated his potential by averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 49 games, shooting 48.2% from the field, and playing 34.1 minutes per game. His 49-point, 10-rebound outing earlier in the season highlighted his scoring capabilities, while his increased role in playmaking—initiating sets, controlling pace, and managing decisions amid injuries—has validated the Mavericks’ internal evaluations.
Since Irving’s injury in March 2025, Dallas has recorded 26 wins and 48 losses, reflecting both the void left by his absence and overall team instability. According to league sources cited by DallasHoopsJournal.com, the franchise remains optimistic about pairing Irving and Flagg long-term, viewing their styles and timelines as complementary.
How the Team Has Adjusted On-Court Without Irving
Before his injury, Irving was performing at an All-Star level, posting averages of 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 50 games during the 2024-25 season. He shot 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range, and 91.6% from the free-throw line, earning his ninth All-Star appearance. For his career, Irving has averaged 23.7 points and 5.6 assists across 779 games, with shooting percentages of 47.4% overall and 39.4% from beyond the arc.
Following the trade of Anthony Davis, which reworked the roster and salary commitments, Dallas has aligned more clearly with Flagg’s timeline. The deal brought in Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, and multiple draft assets, strengthening the team’s financial flexibility.
Within the Mavericks’ strategy, Irving is viewed as a scorer who excels when freed from organizing the offense constantly. Flagg’s ability to initiate plays, make early decisions, and control tempo is regarded as key to maximizing Irving’s strengths, according to insiders.
Head coach Jason Kidd shared this vision during a trip to Mexico City earlier this season.
Kai is going to be a perfect fit with Cooper Flagg, when you talk about his skillset of being able to dribble and score,
Kidd said.
He also creates space on the floor for Cooper, and vice versa. We just can’t wait to get Kai back, at some point. Hopefully it’s in the year of ’25 — not ’26. We’ll see what happens, but I think those two will be a perfect match in the backcourt.
However, with Irving now out for the remainder of 2025-26, the team’s optimism is deferred to the next season.
Adjustments in Backcourt Rotation Without Irving
With Irving sidelined, the Mavericks have restructured their point guard duties. Tyus Jones, a veteran acquired in the trade that sent Anthony Davis to Washington, has provided steady leadership in orchestrating the offense and minimizing turnovers.
Other contributors include Brandon Williams, who has shown bursts of energy and scoring ability, and Ryan Nembhard, although Nembhard approaches the 50-game limit associated with two-way contract eligibility, restricting further appearances without conversion.
Dallas has increasingly implemented positionless lineups relying on players like Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall to handle primary ball-handling tasks. These rotations emphasize size and versatility over traditional positional roles, marking a shift from the star-focused backcourt planned at season’s start.
The team now operates with a committee-style approach, diverging from the initial vision centered around a dominant Irving-led backcourt.
Patience and Progress in Kyrie Irving’s ACL Recovery
Irving has consistently advocated for a patient rehabilitation process. During a recent Twitch livestream, he addressed fans about his recovery timeline.
I’ll give you guys an update after the All-Star break,
Irving said.
Whether it’s this year or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll speak when the time is right.
He has also openly discussed the challenges—both physical and mental—that come with returning from ACL surgery.
It’s not easy, Irving stated.
It’s not easy to come back from any injury, but you gotta be mentally, spiritually, physically ready. And the frustrating portion has been not being able to push myself to that brink, where you’re just dog tired.
His recovery philosophy is grounded in steady progress without comparing himself to others.
For me, my advice, the best advice I got is just take your time. No timeline is going to be perfect. Don’t compare it to anyone else and just enjoy the process.
With Dallas owning full control of its 2026 first-round draft pick—the only year through 2031 they hold this asset—the franchise enters the offseason with valuable flexibility and potential lottery positioning.
The shared court time between Irving and Flagg will have to wait, as Irving’s absence shapes the rest of the 2025-26 season. His anticipated return next year is poised to serve as a critical foundation for a more competitive and stable campaign rather than a midseason savior.
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will miss the season to allow himself additional time to fully heal from the torn ACL he suffered last March. Irving will make his return for the 2026–27 season. pic.twitter.com/hfqAiRTPP4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 18, 2026
