The Mavericks reportedly have some optimism that Kyrie Irving might resume playing as soon as January, but the star guard urged caution during a recent interview (YouTube link). Responding to questions from viewers, Irving refused to guarantee that he’ll be available by playoff time (hat tip to HoopsHype).
“Don’t hold your breath on that,” he said. “You know what I’m saying? That doesn’t mean I won’t be back, it’s just — I don’t want to make any predictions on when I’m going to be back. I just want to be back 150,000% better.”
A firm recovery timeline hasn’t been set for the 33-year-old guard, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3 and underwent surgery about three weeks later. It’s not uncommon for players to take a year or more to recover from ACL tears, although it can vary according to the severity of the injury.
Losing Irving was part of a run of bad luck that affected Dallas in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade, but the team’s fortunes turned around by winning the lottery and drafting Cooper Flagg. The star rookie has rekindled the Mavs’ dreams of becoming a contender again in a tough Western Conference, but they’ll almost certainly need a full recovery from Irving to make a long playoff run.
“So I’m taking my time right now to really get healthy,” Irving continued. “I’m taking my time to get my body right — other portions of my body right — and really just enjoy this recovery process. Man, it’s not pretty. Yes, it is a beautiful struggle, but I go through kind of the mental roller coaster ride of every day. I just want to be back out there.”
Irving recently declined his $43MM player option and signed a new three-year, $119MM contract that runs through 2027/28. It starts at an estimated $36.7MM for next season, which enabled Dallas to duck below the second apron and use its $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception to add D’Angelo Russell, who will take over the lead guard duties until Irving can return.
Irving addressed a few other topics in the interview, including an upcoming game in Mexico City, his plans for a Kobe Bryant-inspired basketball shoe and the nervous feeling he still gets before games.
“Being judged for who you are — it’s an honor,” he said. “Now, it’s up to you whether or not you pay attention to those judgments. But with all the mental stuff people go through, I’ve learned to expand and focus on what I can control in the moment — to be better, rather than afraid of being uncomfortable or facing confrontation.”
Kyrie is one player I’d never hold my breath on. And I’d never pay him the amount of money that the Mavericks have paid him to not play.
Even with the injury, that deal for a top 25 nba player is actually somewhat team friendly and helped the team out financially
Garett:
Fair enough. It’s just not a guy I would want on my team anyway. I’m not sure how motivated he is to play. And the injury history is what it is. I never would’ve traded for him to begin with, never mind extending him.
I don’t think his desire to play and be his best should ever be in question.
KnicksFanCavsFan:
You’re entitled to your opinion just as I am. I am questioning his desire to play. I saw how this guy was with the Nets. So I will most certainly question his desire to play.
Yea, why are teams paying players *not* to play! Mavs are paying me 13m a year to not tryout each year and fail miserably.
He was already under contract for 2025-26.
KnickerbockerAl:
Yes, but they then extended him as well.
All players feel they can bounce back quick but to get back to normal form it takes over a year. Players who ruch over compensate for the injured leg and then hurt their good leg with too much stress on it. Kyrie just needs to take his time and come back 100% not rush it.
Isn’t that exactly what he’s saying?
He is just warning Mavs fans who want him back as soon as possible.
he doesn’t care
Zero reason to rush back and suffer another major injury from the body overcompensating.
I got news for Mr. I won’t play until I’m 150,000%, yes you absolutely will lol What a clown
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No what Flat Earther means is that he won’t come back until he feels he can score 36,000 points per game. So he’s telling us he’s quitting. Just another take in doing a Simmons.
After the break at best. Highly doubt it.
Not a big Kyrie guy. Respect his game. But he can’t be trusted. Truth is he has behaved in Dallas. And he is at the end of his playing days.
He is just being honest saying he may be out all year. All players with his injury. You are looking at a year to come back. Take into account playing shape. You are looking at minimum a year. Then its not a good idea to push them to come back and compete in playoffs. Where the intensity is higher. And the level of competition is higher. Best to sit him out all year . Get well Kyrie …, Mavs are a good team.
All these players that got hurt during playoffs. We should expect them to miss the year. You don’t want to rush them back. Have to think long term.
“You know what I’m saying? That doesn’t mean I won’t be back, it’s just — I don’t want to come back. I just want to be back 150,000% better. Plus, they’re paying me, anyways. I’m not busting my hump.”
Kyrie is very likely not playing next season:
1. ACL recovery time is 8-15 months. And when they come back they need ramp up time, months to be fully healthy playing.
2. He had his surgery at the end of March. Twelve months from his surgery date puts him at the very end of the season.
3. Factors that affect recovery time are: age (Kyrie will be 34 early next year) and past injury history (Kyrie has quite a bit of leg injuries. So, his recovery time will be on the longer side.
4. Kyrie is a 6’1 guard who needs his legs for quickness and first step push off. Re-injury rates are high after ACL return (his own teammate Klay got MCL injury in training camp). So, Kyrie will take extra time to come back.
Kyrie is not going to come back just before the playoffs, when he will need months of ramp up time playing real basketball to be effective.
The Mavs better hope D’Angelo is somehow a much better player than he has been everywhere else on his career to lead this team at the PG position.