Overview

• Kyrie Irving reported on Twitch that he is doing "a little bit more" in the gym and "healing up great" five months after March 26 surgery for his torn left ACL.
• Mavericks leadership has voiced cautious optimism — with Nico Harrison saying Irving is ahead of schedule and Jason Kidd noting he could be back early — but the club does not plan to rush him.
• Reporting from spring and summer set early 2026, roughly January, as the baseline expectation for a return, with no official clearance or minutes plan yet.
• Dallas prepared for his absence by adding D'Angelo Russell, drafting Cooper Flagg No. 1, and extending Irving (about $118.5–$119 million) and Daniel Gafford.
• Newer reports say the team is exploring ways to open a roster spot for Dante Exum, which could involve waiving-and-stretching Olivier-Maxence Prosper and creating modest dead money.