Kyrie Irving to Miss Entire Season for Mavericks Due to Knee Injury

Nine-time All-Star continues recovery from torn ACL sustained last March

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Kyrie Irving will not play this season for the Dallas Mavericks as he continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained almost a year ago. The nine-time All-Star and the team made the announcement, with Irving saying the decision 'wasn't easy, but it's the right one.' Irving tore his ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025, and this will be the first time in his 15-year career that the 33-year-old has missed an entire season.

Why it matters

Irving's absence is a major blow for the Mavericks, who are on a nine-game losing streak and out of playoff contention. The team traded young superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers last year, and Irving and newly acquired Anthony Davis never played significant minutes together due to injuries. The Mavericks are now focused on building around their 2026 No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, with Irving serving as a mentor.

The details

Irving tore his ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025. He and the Mavericks announced on Wednesday that he will not play at all this season as he continues his recovery. This is the first time in Irving's 15-year career that he has missed an entire season due to injury. The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers last year in a deal centered around Anthony Davis, but Davis and Irving played together for just 2 1/2 quarters before Davis aggravated an abdominal injury. The Mavericks then traded Davis to Washington before the trade deadline.

  • Irving tore his ACL on March 3, 2025.
  • The Mavericks announced Irving will miss the entire 2026 season on February 18, 2026.

The players

Kyrie Irving

A nine-time NBA All-Star guard who was acquired by the Mavericks in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in 2024. He is continuing his recovery from a torn ACL sustained in March 2025.

Cooper Flagg

The Mavericks' 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick, a former Duke standout who the team is now building around with Irving serving as a mentor.

Anthony Davis

A veteran big man who the Mavericks acquired in the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, but Davis was injured and only played briefly with Irving before being traded again.

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What they’re saying

“This decision wasn't easy, but it's the right one. 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.”

— Kyrie Irving (Mavericks team statement)

“Kyrie has the ultimate respect for Cooper. He loves the kid's work ethic. He loves the kid's love for the game. And I think Kyrie's embracing the role as a mentor to Cooper.”

— Michael Finley, Co-interim general manager, Mavericks (Mavericks team statement)

What’s next

The Mavericks will continue to build around their 2026 No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, with Kyrie Irving serving as a mentor to the young star while he recovers from his knee injury.

The takeaway

Kyrie Irving's extended absence due to a torn ACL is a major setback for the Mavericks, who are now focused on developing their new franchise cornerstone in Cooper Flagg while hoping Irving can return to form and complement the young talent next season.