Kyrie won't return for Mavericks this season

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving won't return this season from the torn ACL he suffered in March 2025, the team confirmed Wednesday.

The Mavericks will allow Irving to continue recovering from surgery with the goal of him returning for the 2026-27 campaign.

"This decision wasn't easy, but it's the right one," Irving said in a statement. "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!"

Dallas reportedly held early optimism that the 33-year-old would be back by January, approximately 10 months after the procedure on his left knee. However, the franchise has undergone significant changes that have altered its outlook in recent weeks, including the trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards and the prioritization of Cooper Flagg's development.

The Mavericks (19-35) have lost nine straight and sit 12th in the Western Conference. They're seven games back of the 10th-seeded Los Angeles Clippers, who currently own the conference's final play-in spot.

"This is about Kyrie being 1,000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season," Irving's agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 50 games before tearing his ACL last season. He shot 47.3% from the floor, 40.1% from three, and 91.6% on free throws.