Kyrie Irving to Sit Out 2026 Season, Return to Mavericks in 2027

Irving will focus on rehabbing knee injury, aims to come back stronger for championship push

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Kyrie Irving has officially announced he will sit out the remainder of the current NBA season to focus on rehabbing his knee and return to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2026-27 season. This decision aligns with the Mavericks' broader rebuilding efforts, including trading Anthony Davis to create flexibility for the upcoming draft and developing young talent like rookie Cooper Flagg.

Why it matters

Irving's decision to pause his playing career this season allows him to fully recover from his knee injury and come back at 100% next year. This benefits both Irving and the Mavericks, as the team looks to build around Irving and Flagg as the cornerstones of their future championship aspirations.

The details

Irving described his choice as difficult but necessary, emphasizing his commitment to the Mavericks organization, teammates, and fans. The Mavericks plan to take advantage of a talented draft class to strengthen their roster further, ideally finding another key player to complement Irving and Flagg. Irving's agent expressed confidence in this approach, stating it's about Irving being '1000% when he comes back' and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season.

  • Kyrie Irving will sit out the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • Irving is expected to return to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2026-27 NBA season.

The players

Kyrie Irving

A 33-year-old NBA player who has officially announced he will sit out the 2025-26 season to focus on rehabbing his knee, with the goal of returning stronger to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2026-27 season.

Cooper Flagg

A promising rookie who the Mavericks plan to build around alongside Kyrie Irving as they aim to compete at the highest level.

Anthony Davis

A player prone to injuries who the Mavericks traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for role players and draft assets, creating flexibility to focus on long-term growth.

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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 (theconwaybulletin.com)

“This is about Kyrie being 1000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season”

— Shetellia Riley Irving, Kyrie Irving's agent (theconwaybulletin.com)

“And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL 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 (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

The Mavericks plan to take advantage of a talented draft class to strengthen their roster further, ideally finding another key player to complement Irving and Flagg. Irving's rehabilitation is progressing smoothly, and additional time over the summer will further prepare him for the demands of the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Kyrie Irving's decision to sit out the 2025-26 season and focus on his recovery demonstrates his commitment to the Dallas Mavericks and their long-term success. By prioritizing his health, Irving and the team are positioning themselves for a promising era, with the goal of building a championship-contending roster around Irving and rising star Cooper Flagg.