The Dallas Mavericks have expressed optimism regarding Kyrie Irving’s return post ACL tear. However, Irving is cautious and hasn’t committed to a specific return date before the 2026 NBA playoffs. He suggested that while a timeline around a year after his injury sounds hopeful, the prospect of rushing back is not appealing. “Don’t hold your breath on that,” Irving stated during a live stream on Sunday.

It’s worth noting that he aims for a full recovery, stating, “I just want to be back 150,000% better.” Though he agrees on the possibility of a return surrounding game action in January, he also acknowledges the importance of taking his time to recover fully. Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists prior to his injury against the Sacramento Kings.

Kyrie’s Remarks: “It’s not pretty, but I go through a mental rollercoaster ride every day.” With his return still uncertain, the Mavericks are keeping their playoff hopes alive, relying on contributions from teammates like D’Angelo Russell and the newly arrived Cooper Flagg.