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Jan 7, 2026
Sylvain Sultat
Kyrie Irving to Return with the Mavericks After the All-Star Game?
The Dallas point guard could make his return after the All-Star Game, nearly a year after his knee injury. The Mavericks remain patient despite their precarious position in the standings.
Photo Credit : © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks continue to await the return of Kyrie Irving, but the timeline keeps getting pushed back. Initially hoped for in early 2026, the star point guard may not return to competition until after the All-Star Break, according to the latest reports.
A Progressing Rehabilitation, But No Rush
According to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal, there is no indication that Irving will be shut down for the rest of the season. The most realistic expectation would now be a return after the All-Star Game break. Irving tore his anterior cruciate ligament on March 3, 2025, and the Mavericks’ first game after the All-Star Break will be on February 20, just before the 12-month mark.
Kyrie Irving is expected to return after the All-Star break, per @DALHoopsJournal
« While the Mavericks have not publicly communicated a return timetable for Irving, sources tell https://t.co/9ddvLmNMup there has been no indication he will be shut down for the season. Instead,… pic.twitter.com/pyzp43Y39a
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 13, 2026
Irving’s on-court work shows encouraging progress. He now participates in full training sessions, moves fluidly, and changes direction without hesitation. However, this doesn’t mean medical clearance is imminent, but confirms that rehabilitation is moving in the right direction.
Irving remains consistent in his messaging: « No timeline will be perfect. You just have to take your time, » he said earlier this season. This philosophy remains the roadmap for his return.
Dallas Struggling Without Their Star
Irving’s absence weighs heavily on Dallas’ performance. The Mavericks currently sit in 12th place in the Western Conference with a record of 14 wins and 25 losses. Since March 4, the day after Irving’s injury, the team has posted a dismal record of 21 wins and 38 losses.
Without Kyrie, the Mavs’ offense loses an elite creator capable of manufacturing points in difficult moments and serving as a crucial Plan B in tight late-game situations. His return would also benefit Cooper Flagg, who could return to his natural position on the wing.
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