Kyrie Irving Sends Strong Message Ahead of Mavericks Comeback

It’s been 19 months since Dallas Mavericks star point guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL, and he’s ready to make his return to the court.

During Friday’s Mavericks’ Media Day, Irving said that he has no restrictions ahead of training camp.

“I’m ready to go out there and kick some butt,” Irving said via ESPN. “I know that naysayers or some of the questions around where I’m going to be are going to be inevitable. But for me, I have the confidence of a champion.

“… This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of league, and everybody wants to see it up close. So I’m looking forward to being able to lace up my shoes and being on the court with my teammates and show everybody what I got again. It’s just like riding a bike.”

Irving missed all of last season as he recovered from a torn ACL that occurred in March 2025. The Mavericks have maintained the cautious route with the injury to avoid any setbacks, and he appears to be on track to take the court ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

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Dallas will lean on him as one of the primary contributors alongside rising star Cooper Flagg, who is coming off an impressive rookie campaign. The Mavericks are hoping to take a significant step forward next season after falling well short of the playoffs.

Irving and Flagg will likely be the primary ball handlers and playmakers for Dallas. Irving is heading into the second year of his three-year, $118.4 million contract, which includes a $42.4 million player option for the 2027-28 season.