Mavericks G Kyrie Irving sidelined until 2026-27 season

Nine-time All-Star recovering from torn ACL surgery

Feb. 22, 2026 at 7:15pm

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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will not play this season as he continues to recover from knee surgery, the team confirmed Wednesday. The nine-time All-Star, who had surgery last March to repair a torn left ACL, is expected to return in 2026-27.

Why it matters

Irving's absence is a significant blow to the Mavericks, who have struggled without him on the court. The team has a much better record when Irving plays compared to when he is out of the lineup.

The details

Irving, who turns 34 next month, is making 'steady progress in rehabilitation and will remain actively engaged with the team through the remainder of the season.' He missed the final 20 games of the 2024-25 season after the injury. Irving has averaged 23.7 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 779 career games.

  • Irving had surgery last March to repair a torn left ACL.
  • He is expected to return in the 2026-27 season.

The players

Kyrie Irving

A nine-time NBA All-Star guard for the Dallas Mavericks who is recovering from a torn ACL injury.

Dallas Mavericks

An NBA team that Irving plays for, and who confirmed he will be sidelined until the 2026-27 season as he recovers from knee surgery.

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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

“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!”

— Kyrie Irving

What’s next

The Mavericks will have to find a way to compete this season without their star player Kyrie Irving, who is expected to return in the 2026-27 season after recovering from his torn ACL.

The takeaway

Kyrie Irving's extended absence due to a serious knee injury is a major setback for the Mavericks, who have struggled without him in the lineup. This highlights the challenges teams face when dealing with long-term injuries to their star players and the importance of depth and adaptability in the NBA.