After missing the entire season so far with an ACL tear, the Dallas Mavericks have shut down Kyrie Irving for the remainder of the year.
The Dallas Mavericks are 19-35 this season, formerly rebuilding, and embracing landing the best draft odds possible this season. With the playoffs already out of grasp and rookie Cooper Flagg taking over as the face of the franchise, veteran big man Anthony Davis was traded to the Washington Wizards.
The Mavericks entered the season with higher hopes, banking on Davis, Flagg, and Klay Thompson keepiong the team afloat until the All-Star Break, when All-NBA point gugard Kyrie Irving was expected to return from a torn ACL and lead a playoff push.
However, with the season already effectively over, Irving will not return to the lineup this season.
Kyrie Irving Ruled Out for the Year
Last season, the Mavericks seemed cursed. After trading away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis suffered a groin injury in his Dallas debut. Irving, a few weeks later, would tear his ACL, ending his season and the Mavericks' standing as one of the best teams in the NBA.
A torn ACL is the second-worst "common" NBA injury, right after a torn Achilles. Players can return from an ACL injury in under 12 months, but with nothing to play for and an aging body, Irving made the smart call to not suit up this season.
"This is about Kyrie being 1000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season," Irving's agent told ESPN.
While winning the Western Conference alongside Doncic in 2024, Irving emerged as a fan-favorite and perhaps the best second option in the entire NBA. After tumultuous stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets, Irving seemed to have put any drama behind him, fully embracing his fourth team.
After the Mavericks got off to a slow start this season, there were calls to trade him. However, it's clear that this team needs a veteran, elite point guard to run the offense, or at least show the ropes to whoever they draft in 2026. For now, Irving is the best locker room leader on the roster, and proivides value even when he can't step on the floor.
Next season, led by Irving, Flagg, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and Dereck Lively II, the Mavericks are expected to be much-improved, especially if they can land a top draft pick this summer.