Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has offered a hopeful update on Kyrie Irving’s recovery from a torn ACL, suggesting that the star guard could return to action before the end of 2025.
The comments came ahead of the Mavericks’ international matchup against the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, where Kidd addressed media concerns about the team’s early-season struggles and Irving’s absence.
Irving, 33, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a March 2025 game, sidelining him for the remainder of the season and casting doubt on his availability for the current campaign. ACL injuries typically require 9–12 months of recovery, but Kidd hinted that Irving’s rehab is progressing well enough to raise hopes for a return before the calendar flips to 2026.
“We just can’t wait to get Kai back at some point,” Kidd said. “Hopefully it’s in the year ’25, not ’26. But we’ll see what happens”.
The Mavericks have stumbled out of the gate, starting the season 2–4 and struggling to find offensive rhythm. Rookie Cooper Flagg has shown flashes of promise, but the team’s lack of a dynamic playmaker has been glaring. D’Angelo Russell, acquired in the offseason, posted 31 points in the recent loss to Detroit, but the team’s overall offensive rating ranks among the league’s worst.
Kidd acknowledged that Irving’s presence is sorely missed, both for his scoring and his ability to create for others.
“This team needs Kyrie badly,” he said,
emphasizing that the Mavericks’ identity is still in flux without their All-Star floor general.
Reports indicate that Irving has resumed light practice and is entering a critical stage of his recovery. There have been no setbacks so far, and his return could provide the spark Dallas needs to climb back into playoff contention.
While no official timetable has been released, Kidd’s comments suggest that the Mavericks are cautiously optimistic about seeing Irving back on the court before the end of the year. If he does return in late December or early January, it could dramatically shift the team’s trajectory heading into the second half of the season.
