Kyrie Irving’s Recovery Timeline Optimistic for January Return

DALLAS, Texas — Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is expected to return from his torn left ACL by January 2026, according to sources close to the situation reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on April 16. The team is optimistic that Irving can participate in a significant portion of the 2025-26 NBA season upon his return.

Irving, 33, suffered a torn ACL on March 3 during the first quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings, in which the Mavericks lost 122-98. He underwent surgery on March 26. ACL recovery typically takes between six to 12 months, suggesting that a January return could be on the earlier end of that spectrum.

This season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He made his ninth All-Star team in February and became the only NBA player this season to average at least 20 points per game, 40% shooting from beyond the arc, and 90% from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks plan to renegotiate Irving’s contract, which includes a $43 million player option for the upcoming 2025-26 season, part of a three-year, $126 million deal signed in 2023. Sources indicate that the team wants to void his player option and offer a new three-year deal that would align with the contracts of the team’s general manager Nico Harrison and star player Anthony Davis.

During his recent appearances, Charania expressed concern over the risk associated with extending a contract for a player returning from an ACL injury at Irving’s age. However, the Mavericks believe Irving’s performance just before the injury was promising; he logged an average of 39.3 minutes per game over the 10 contests leading up to the injury.

The team’s current priority is to secure a long-term arrangement with Irving while still navigating the immediate challenges of the upcoming play-in tournament, where they will face the Kings again. Despite being eliminated earlier this season, the Mavericks have shown resilience, making it to this stage of the playoffs.