Shut Down for Rest of Season
On Feb. 18, the Dallas Mavericks announced that veteran shooting guard Kyrie Irving will remain out for the 2025-2026 NBA season. Last year on March 3, Irving suffered a torn ACL when he attempted to drive inside for a layup. Irving fell and was fouled on the play, and at that moment the injury did not seem serious, until Irving needed assistance standing up. Irving was carried to the free-throw line, hitting both of his free-throw attempts. Irving was then carried off the court and into the locker room. After the game against the Sacramento Kings, the Mavericks confirmed the worst: Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL that would sideline him not just for the remainder of that season, but for most of the following season.
Kyrie Irving born March 23, 1992 in Melbourne, Australia. Irving holds dual citizenship with the United States and was raised in West Orange, New Jersey by his father, Drederick Irving, after the passing of Kyrie’s mother when he was four. Irving played high school basketball in New Jersey before committing to Duke University to continue his basketball career.
Irving played only 11 games for the Duke Blue Devils in 2010 before suffering a right toe injury. In his short career at Duke, Irving averaged 17.5 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game and 4.3 assists per game. Irving set a school record, recording 9 assists in a freshman’s first game in Duke University history. Irving shot an impressive 52.9% from the field, 46.2% from the three-point line and 90.1% from the free-throw line. Although Irving’s college career was short, he was recognized as one of the most talented players in college, and was selected #1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft.
Kyrie Irving was sent to Cleveland, where he would have the opportunity to be the next face of the franchise after legendary power forward Lebron James went to the Miami Heat in the previous season. Irving performed well in his first season with the Cavaliers, averaging 20.8 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and 6.1 assists per game, and having a 43 field goal percentage and 35% from the three-point line. Irving won Rookie of the Year in 2012, and continued to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2014, Lebron James returned to Cleveland to team up with Kyrie Irving. Lebron and Kyrie became a dynamic duo in Cleveland, and in 2016 made the NBA finals and won a historical Game 7 after being down 3-1 in the series. Kyrie Irving hit the decisive three-pointer that sealed a championship for Cleveland.
Lebron stayed in Cleveland until 2018, when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he currently plays. Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2017, where he was planning to be a franchise piece to win an NBA Championship. Boston loved Irving and believed he was going to be the face of the legendary Boston franchise. Irving even declared that he was planning to sign an extension and stay with Boston.
Instead, Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets and his ties with the city of Boston were demolished. To this day, Celtics fans will boo and heckle Irving whenever he possesses the ball or enters the game. In Brooklyn, Irving was riddled with injuries and controversial opinions and actions, portraying him as a locker room issue. Most teams did not want to risk trading for Irving, due to his toxic reputation as well as the list of injuries he endured throughout his time in Brooklyn. In February of 2023, the Dallas Mavericks traded multiple players and draft picks in exchange for Kyrie Irving.
A few days later, Irving made his first appearance in Dallas against the Minnesota Timberwolves. During their first game together, it seemed that Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving could not get on the same page. Many early on criticized the trade and how the two would not be able to work together on the court. The following season, the duo proved people wrong and went on a dominant run that earned them a spot in the playoffs! Luka and Kyrie ignited in the playoffs, beating the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Dallas Mavericks won the Western Conference Finals, their first time since the dominant 2014 playoff run where they won the NBA Finals. Only one team stood in the Mavericks way of a second championship, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics welcomed Irving back in Boston fashion, making signs, booing him, and making sure he felt the pressure of the Boston crowd. The Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals 4-1 and secured another championship in their franchise’s history. The Mavericks and their fans were excited for the following season as they were ready to return to the playoffs and make another run at the championship. The Mavericks began hot, dominating the competition and proving that they were a top team in the NBA. Irving thrived averaging 24.7 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 43.7%. All seemed to be heading in the right direction for the Dallas Mavericks until Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The team was stunned, Kyrie could not believe that the team would break up the dynamic duo of Dončić and Irving. Regardless, Irving continued to play for another month until he suffered his torn ACL injury against the Kings. Many projected that Irving would make his return to the NBA in January of 2026. Many were excited to see the combination of Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. Many believe that with the return of Irving, the Mavericks offense would ignite and the team can make a late push for the playoffs. Irving seemed to be recovering well and was seen practicing at full speed. With this information, the team hinted at the possibility of Kyrie returning around the middle of February. Many speculated that he would officially make his return after the All-Star break. Until February 18th where the team decided that Irving will sit out for the remainder of the season and will return next season.
This could be a clear indication that the team is attempting to tank for the remainder of the season to obtain a good draft pick, others speculate that Kyrie is not fully healthy and the team does not want to rush him back. Regardless, it is a huge blow to the second half of the Mavericks season. The biggest keys for the Mavericks now will be to continue building a supporting cast around Cooper Flagg, continue to rehab Kyrie, and make sure all starters are healthy going into the off-season. With the return of Kyrie, the rise of Cooper Flagg, and the new faces that will be in Dallas next season, we could see a massive change in power in the Western Conference and the Mavericks’ chance at pursuing the Larry O’Brien Trophy.