Kyrie Irving’s 2024-25 season ended in heartbreak. A torn ACL against the Sacramento Kings in March shut him down, and questions about his future immediately swirled. All summer long, his return for the 2025-26 season has been clouded in uncertainty. At one point, Irving even went on stream and refused to say whether he would play before the postseason, a decision that smartly tempered expectations but left Dallas fans restless.
The thought of Irving missing the entire year sent shivers through Mavericks Nation. But there is a harsher reality for the rest of the league to confront: Irving may be back much earlier than predicted. If that happens, the Mavericks are not simply a playoff hopeful — they become a threat nobody wants to face.
Dallas’ entire year hinges on Irving’s health. They need him if they want to matter in May and June. And right now, every sign points toward him being ahead of schedule with training camp fast approaching.
Kyrie’s Progress Is Surprising Everyone
General manager Nico Harrison stated earlier this summer that Irving’s rehab was moving in the right direction. Each update since has backed that up.
Over Labor Day weekend, a video hit the internet of Irving at the NBPA facility in New York. He was catching and shooting threes, moving comfortably, showing no signs of hesitation. Just five months removed from surgery, Irving looked like a player determined to accelerate his timeline.
Mavericks fans have every reason to be excited. From the moment he underwent the procedure, Irving has attacked the recovery process with discipline. A return before the All-Star break looks realistic, which would give him weeks to find rhythm and fitness before the postseason grind.
Dallas, fresh off drafting phenom Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick, cannot afford another lost season after missing the playoffs. Their hopes of relevance rest on Irving suiting up, and if he does so sooner than later, the balance of the Western Conference shifts dramatically.
The Ripple Effect Across the League
If the Mavericks establish themselves in the standings before Irving even takes the floor, his eventual return would elevate them into a contender far earlier than anyone has prepared for. The franchise’s approach in free agency hinted that they quietly believed in this possibility, building a roster with the expectation of Kyrie’s comeback.
The NBA world seems to have forgotten that Irving remains one of the most gifted guards alive. Once he’s healthy, Dallas’ ceiling rises sharply. He has never lacked skill, but his drive in rehab has shown how determined he is to silence doubt.
Irving is on a mission. He wants to prove that even after major surgery, he has lost none of his brilliance. Good things take time, but the rest of the league should already be uneasy. Kyrie Irving is closer than most realize, and when he finally steps back onto the court, Dallas may transform into a nightmare opponent overnight.
