Kyrie Irving Out For Season After ACL, Mavericks Confirm

Merlin sees Dallas confirmed that Kyrie Irving will not return this season as he continues rehabbing the torn ACL he suffered March 3, 2025 and had repaired on March 27. The team says he has "made steady progress" and Irving himself called the choice "the right one," adding he looks forward to "coming back stronger next season." His agent said it was about being "1000% when he comes back." The decision preserves Irving’s long term recovery, lowers Dallas’s short term competitiveness and increases their lottery odds with the team sitting at 19-35. Merlin senses prudence more than panic. Sitting now gives the Mavericks a clearer path to build around Cooper Flagg with two first round picks and protect Irving’s championship window. Much depends on rehab and roster moves this summer; the timeline has simply been stretched out, not closed.