Photo via Yahoo Sports

Can Kyrie Irving return to form for the Mavericks after torn ACL?

Kyrie Irving’s return to the Dallas Mavericks this season carries the weight of a year delayed by injury and a roster reshaped in his absence. The star guard, now 34, suffered a torn ACL in March 2025 during a game against the Sacramento Kings, forcing a full offseason recovery that pushed back his comeback timeline well past initial fan expectations.

The Mavericks, under rookie head coach Cooper Flagg, struggled through a 26-56 record last season without Irving, failing to secure a top-five draft pick despite their challenges. Now, Irving has resumed unrestricted workouts, declaring himself ready to reclaim his form and lead a younger team that has lost key players like Nico Harrison, Jason Kidd, and Anthony Davis.

His confidence remains high, though concerns linger about whether his knee is fully healed after limited practice visibility. The 2026-27 campaign begins October 21, with Irving aiming to silence doubters and deliver the scoring impact that defined his prime—though the league’s relentless pace may test his durability sooner rather than later.

Up nextNBA· 2h ago

LeBron James calls out ‘lies’ regarding Mike Breen’s Joel Embiid story