Kyrie Irving Returns to the Court After 19-Month Rehab

On October 11 2026, the Dallas Mavericks opened the second NBA China Game in Macau with a 132-115 preseason win over the Houston Rockets. Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting in 22 minutes, adding two rebounds and three assists. He opened with a reverse layup, played eight minutes in the first quarter, a little more than eight in the second, and the first five-and-a-half minutes of the third before sitting out the remainder.

Sports Illustrated

Irving returned after tearing the ACL in his left knee on March 3 2025 against Sacramento. He underwent surgery on March 26 2025 and missed the entire 2025-26 season. The Mavericks used the China trip to gauge his health before the regular season.

Kyrie Irving Returns As Mavericks Set Minute Range

• Points: 17 (team-high) in 22 minutes; 6-of-13 FG, 2-of-6 3-P, 3-of-3 FT.

Kyrie Irving News: Scores 17 points in preseason debut

• Assists/Rebounds: 3 assists, 2 rebounds, no turnovers.

Kyrie Irving News: Scores 17 points in preseason debut

• 2024-25 averages: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game.

Kyrie Irving returns to action with Risacher, Biberovic, and de Larrea playing with him

• Dusty May (Mavericks head coach) praised Irving’s “physical condition, his mental condition” and called the performance “a testament to his work,” noting the team will “play it by ear” with his minutes.

Dusty May Confirms Kyrie Irving Will Play In Macao

• Kevin Durant (former teammate) said Irving’s work ethic is “second to none” and that he was “a little anxious and excited” to return.

Kevin Durant Says Kyrie Irving Is ‘Anxious And Excited’ To Return

Sources differ on the exact length of Irving’s absence: the Guardian and ESPN cite 586 days, Dallassportsjournal and Bleacher Report note 587 days, while other outlets refer to a “19-month” gap. All agree the injury occurred on March 3 2025, but no definitive post-game workload plan has been released.

Kyrie Irving Returns As Mavericks Set Minute Range

• “A lot of emotions leading into it,” — Kyrie Irving

ESPN

Irving’s return restores a primary ball-handler and scorer to a roster that lacked a true playmaker in 2024-25. Coach May highlighted Irving’s “gravity” and “leverage” as factors that could improve spacing for teammates, particularly Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks open the regular season on October 21 against Houston, giving the staff a short window to assess Irving’s rhythm and durability.

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