Kidd clarifies Kyrie Irving's recovery, hinting at a potentially faster-than-expected return but stressing patience and no firm date is set yet.
HOUSTON — Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd on Monday clarified his weekend remarks about Kyrie Irving’s potential return from a torn ACL, saying his earlier comment about hoping for a comeback before the end of 2025 was meant to reflect optimism rather than an official timeline.
Speaking before the Mavericks’ game against the Houston Rockets, Kidd emphasized that while Irving continues to make steady progress, there remains no firm timetable for his return.
“When I made the statement, it was more or less, ‘We would love to have him back,’” Kidd said. “But he’s doing great mentally and physically. We still don’t have an official schedule for him. Once that comes out, then we can start to speculate if he’s going to be back by ’25. We do miss him. But hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.”
Kidd’s remarks came two days after his hopeful tone in Mexico City sparked speculation that Irving could return to the lineup by the end of the calendar year.
The All-Star guard underwent surgery on March 26 to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, an injury he sustained on March 3. A return within nine months — around late December — would represent an accelerated recovery by typical standards.
The Mavericks have maintained that Irving is “right on schedule” in his rehabilitation and that the organization is prioritizing a cautious approach. Kidd reiterated Monday that Irving’s progress has been positive and that the team is taking its cues from medical staff updates.
Irving, entering his 15th NBA season, has stayed loosely connected with the team while focusing on his recovery. He has attended some home games and continues to work privately with members of the Mavericks’ coaching staff as he rebuilds strength in his left leg. The team has not released any footage or formal updates on his basketball activity.
Kidd’s clarification also came amid another wave of injury updates. He confirmed that center Dereck Lively II, who has missed four consecutive games with a right knee sprain, will be re-evaluated when the team returns to Dallas. The 7-footer had been averaging 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists before his injury.
Anthony Davis (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (knee) remain out as well, leaving Dallas without several rotation players for the two-game road trip.
The Mavericks entered Monday’s game at 2–4, still searching for defensive stability and late-game consistency. They have dropped three straight games and were outscored 35–17 in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 122–110 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City — a game that overshadowed D’Angelo Russell’s 31-point outburst off the bench.
With Irving’s return still undetermined and multiple starters sidelined, Dallas will rely on short-term adjustments and its depth to stay competitive in a crowded Western Conference race.