The Dallas Mavericks have officially shut down guard Kyrie Irving for the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season, opting to protect his surgically repaired left knee rather than pursue a late-season return.
Team officials confirmed the decision on Feb. 19, citing medical advice and long-term planning, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Irving, 32, has undergone multiple knee procedures and has not logged an extended stretch of game action in nearly 600 days. The organization determined that forcing a comeback now would create unnecessary risk for a player who relies heavily on quick cuts and creative movement.
“I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season,” Irving said in a statement. “The belief and drive I have inside only grows.”
Dallas also weighed its position in the Western Conference standings. Preserving Irving’s health while improving the club’s draft odds outweighed the potential benefit of marginal wins down the stretch. The move delays an on-court pairing with rookie forward Cooper Flagg, but the front office views the long-term upside as the higher priority.
The shutdown aligns Irving’s rehabilitation timeline with the franchise’s next competitive window, giving both player and team a full offseason to prepare for 2026-27.
Source: Hoops Wire
