After nearly a year of silence and rehabilitation, the artist known as “Uncle Drew” appears ready to pick up his paintbrush once again. According to a new report from TNT analyst and Hall of Famer Reggie Miller, Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving is targeting a mid-February return to the court, aiming to rejoin the lineup immediately following the NBA All-Star break.
The timeline would mark the end of a grueling recovery process for the 33-year-old guard, who has been sidelined since March 3, 2025, after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee. While the Mavericks organization has remained publicly cautious regarding a specific date, Miller’s update aligns with the standard 12-month recovery window for such injuries and offers the first concrete sign of optimism for a fanbase that has watched their season teeter on the brink.
Irving’s potential return could not come at a more critical juncture. The Mavericks, currently sitting 12th in the Western Conference with an 18-26 record, have been decimated by injuries. The most significant blow came recently with the loss of Anthony Davis—who arrived in Dallas last season in the blockbuster trade involving Luka Dončić to a ligament injury in his left hand. With Davis out for at least six weeks, the burden has fallen entirely on the shoulders of rookie sensation Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, has been a revelation, keeping the team competitive with his two-way play. However, the Mavericks have lacked the elite shot-creation and veteran composure required to close out tight games traits that define Irving’s game.
“He looks sharp, explosive, and efficient,” reported league insider Grant Afseth, who observed Irving during a recent workout. “There is no visible hesitation as he progresses through drills.”
If Irving can indeed return by the team’s February 20 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it would give Dallas roughly 25 games to make a push for the Play-In Tournament. The chemistry experiment between a returning Irving, a rookie Flagg, and an eventually healthy Davis is a gamble, but it is one the Mavericks must take to salvage their season.
For Irving, the stakes are equally high. A successful comeback would not only silence doubts about his durability at this stage of his career but could also provide one of the season’s most compelling storylines: a legend returning to drag his team from the depths of the lottery back into the playoff picture.
