The promotional material practically wrote itself. Two Duke legends. One franchise. Cooper Flagg — the most hyped rookie in years — alongside Kyrie Irving, one of the most gifted offensive players the NBA has ever produced. Dallas Mavericks fans spent the entire offseason dreaming about what that partnership would look like on the floor.
They are still waiting. And they may be waiting a little longer.
The shocking reality behind one of the most anticipated duos in recent NBA memory is that Flagg and Irving have not shared the court for a single minute this season. Not one possession. Not one pick-and-roll. Not one fast break. Nothing.
What Happened to Kyrie
Irving’s absence traces back to March 2025, when he suffered a torn ACL that wiped out the remainder of that season and carried directly into the 2025-26 campaign. Rehabilitation from ACL tears is notoriously lengthy and unpredictable, and Irving missed the entire season as the Mavericks waited for him to return to full health.
For Flagg, that meant navigating his entire rookie season without the veteran star Dallas had envisioned as his primary co-star. He did it remarkably well — 21 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game — but the basketball world was always acutely aware of the missing piece beside him.
Masai Ujiri’s Next Decision
With Masai Ujiri now running the Mavericks front office, one of his most critical early decisions involves managing the Irving situation with care. A healthy Kyrie alongside a sophomore Flagg represents an enormous leap in ceiling for this franchise. Getting there requires patience, proper medical management, and roster decisions built around that eventual reunion.
The Flagg and Irving partnership has not happened yet. But in Dallas, the belief is that when it finally does, it will be worth every single minute of the wait.
