DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is helped off the court by Naji Marshall #13 and a team staff member after suffering an injury during the first half to Kings at American Airlines Center on March 03, 2025 in Dallas, …
DALLAS - Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, the team announced Wednesday.
What we know:
The announcement comes just two days before Dallas returns from the All-Star break. Irving, 33, originally suffered the torn ACL in his left knee during a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 3, 2025. This marks the first time in his 15-year career that he will miss an entire season.
The Mavericks have struggled in Irving’s absence, losing nine consecutive games, the franchise's longest losing streak in 28 years.
Irving will remain under the supervision of the team’s medical and performance staff for the rest of the year.
Dallas returns to the court Friday, Feb. 20, to face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 6:30 p.m. CT.
What they're saying:
"This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one," Irving said in a statement. "I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates, and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows."
The backstory:
The injury occurred in the first quarter of last March's matchup with the Kings. Irving shot his free throws with tears in his eyes before exiting the floor.
While initial reports labeled the injury a knee sprain, an MRI later confirmed the ACL tear.
The Source: Information in this article comes from an official statement made by the Dallas Mavericks and previous reporting.