Kyrie Irving Gives Injury Update, Latest on Mavericks Star's Status for 2026-27 NBA Season

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving provided a new update regarding his knee injury as he prepares for the 2026-27 season.

"No restrictions," Irving told reporters Friday. "Obviously there'll be some conversations with the medical staff about back-to-backs and the quality of where I am. Just being honest, day to day, and just having that fluid communication."

"Everyone's going to give me the support that I need," he added. "From a mental standpoint, coming back from a traumatic injury is not the easiest thing to overcome. But no excuses, I think I was built for this at a very young age."

Irving missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in March 2025.

The 34-year-old has been ramping up for his return by playing in summer pickup contests, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Irving has continued to showcase his offensive prowess during the sessions, receiving praise from Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. after they participated in the same game.

"I was hooping with Kyrie yesterday, and this is off of his ACL," Porter said Aug. 24 on his Curious Mike podcast (h/t SI.com's Sameer Kumar). "That dude was so cold, bro. I couldn't believe how he was moving out there. He was getting to the lane; there's all [seven] footers in there, and he was somehow [finishing] with the left. Bro, it was nutty. It was crazy."

Irving last played for the Mavericks during the 2024-25 season, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game while compiling 47.3/40.1/91.6 shooting splits.

He earned his ninth career All-Star nod for his efforts.

While Dallas is coming off a 26-56 finish last season, the team is looking to climb further up the Western Conference standings led by Irving and reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

The Mavericks will open their 2026-27 campaign against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 21.