Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is set to miss the remainder of the current season as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. The nine-time All-Star underwent surgery last March to repair a torn left ACL and has not played this entire season. Despite his absence, the Mavericks announced that Irving is making "steady progress in rehabilitation and will remain actively engaged with the team through the remainder of the season."

Irving, 33, is anticipated to make his full return for the 2026-27 season. His agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, emphasized the goal behind this prolonged recovery: "This is about Kyrie being 1,000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season." This decision follows Irving's previous absence from the final 20 games of last season due to the same knee injury.

In a personal statement, Irving conveyed his commitment to recovery, stating, "I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season." He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but affirmed its necessity: "This decision wasn't easy, but it's the right one." Irving expressed gratitude to the Mavericks organization, his teammates, and fans for their unwavering support. He also extended a message of inspiration to others who have suffered similar injuries, proclaiming, "No fear!"

Irving's presence has significantly impacted the Mavericks' performance. Since the 15-year veteran joined the franchise during the 2022-23 season, Dallas holds a 75-53 record in games he has played. Conversely, the team has struggled significantly in his absence, posting a 42-75 record. Currently, the Mavericks are fourth in the Southwest Division with a 19-35 record as they enter the post-All-Star break segment of their schedule.

This news comes as the Mavericks signal a clear intention to rebuild, having traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards earlier this month in a substantial nine-player blockbuster deal.