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HomeDallas Mavericks‘He Changes The Dynamic’: Anthony Davis Confident Kyrie Irving’s Return Will Elevate Dallas Mavericks
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‘He Changes The Dynamic’: Anthony Davis Confident Kyrie Irving’s Return Will Elevate Dallas Mavericks

Grant AfsethGrant Afseth
NBA, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks continue to navigate a season shaped by injuries and uncertainty, with Kyrie Irving’s ongoing recovery from a torn ACL remaining central to the franchise’s short- and long-term outlook.

Irving has not returned to game action, and there is no public indication that a return is imminent. Still, his presence — and what it represents — continues to loom over Dallas’ direction as the trade deadline approaches and the team attempts to regain footing in the Western Conference amid a 13-23 start.

Kyrie Irving’s Recovery Remains A Long-Term Priority

Irving is now nearly 10 months removed from tearing the ACL in his left knee during a March 3 game against the Sacramento Kings. While the Mavericks have offered no details publicly, head coach Jason Kidd reiterated the lack of clarity when asked Thursday if there was any update on Irving’s status.

“No,” Kidd said.

Behind the scenes, Irving was seen working in a one-on-one setting as early as when he was with assistant coach Phil Handy at Simon Fraser University during Mavericks training camp in Vancouver in early October. He has also periodically participated in individual drills with teammates during the early flow of the season, including post-work with rookie Cooper Flagg.

Despite that activity, Dallas has not indicated that Irving is close to returning. However, that’s not to say significant progress hasn’t been achieved, especially considering much of it is occurring privately. His recovery progress remains the single most important factor for a Mavericks team that held high hopes for this season, with an understanding that treading water would be essential. Irving traveled with the team to Sacramento for the Mavericks’ three-game road trip, which is a positive sign in this process.

A longstanding sentiment regarding Irving’s potential timetable for a return is that doing so before the All-Star break in February wouldn’t be far-fetched, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Given the Mavericks’ final game before the break is on Feb. 12, there is still plenty of time for Irving to do so.

However, Irving will be back on the court to play when the time is right, regardless of when that is. When that time comes, a player who averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists last season — and provides a clear gravity both on and off the ball — will only provide a boost.

Anthony Davis Addresses Team Direction And Patience

Irving’s absence has coincided with growing speculation around Anthony Davis, who has been rumored as a potential trade candidate as the deadline nears.

Following Saturday’s 110-104 win over the Houston Rockets, Davis addressed both the team’s recent struggles and Irving’s importance to what Dallas hopes to become.

“It felt good that we won,” Davis said. “Individual stats don’t matter to me as long as we win. We were able to get our first win in the new year. (We’ve) been struggling. Came out with good intensity, good energy. Got down but made a run, (and) guys made shots and got stops. We were able to bounce back.”

Davis logged a season-high 39 minutes in the win, finishing with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks in a performance that snapped a four-game losing streak and improved Dallas to 13-23.

When asked about Irving’s eventual return, Davis emphasized patience.

“Obviously, we want him back,” Davis said. “He’s coming off a serious injury. Whenever you guys get a chance to talk to him, you can ask him that question. I don’t try to hassle guys about coming back. I ask him how he feels. But to rush him back, especially off an injury like that, you have to be smart.”

A Duo That Has Barely Shared The Floor

When Dallas acquired Davis last season as part of the franchise-altering trade involving Luka Dončić, the expectation was that Davis and Irving would anchor the roster together for years. Instead, injuries prevented that plan from ever taking shape.

Davis suffered a left adductor strain in his Dallas debut against Houston on Feb. 8. Before he could return, Irving sustained his ACL injury in Sacramento. In total, the two stars have shared the court for just 25 minutes.

Trailing the Memphis Grizzlies by 2.5 games for the 10th seed in the Western Conference — the final spot in the play-in picture — the Mavericks risk digging a deeper hole before Irving is in the lineup. With Dallas not controlling its own first-round picks after 2026 through 2030, it’s a challenging landscape to navigate.

Trade Deadline Questions and What Comes Next

Dallas faces a difficult calculus. The Mavericks could explore moving Davis and pivot toward a future built around Irving and Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick. However, Davis’ age — he turns 33 in March — his injury history, and the possibility of a contract extension this summer complicate the trade market.

For his part, Davis made clear Saturday that he believes the team’s ceiling remains higher once Irving is healthy.

“Obviously, he is a hell of a player, a Hall of Famer,” Davis said. “He changes the dynamic for our team. When he gets back, we are going to be an even better team.”

Whether Dallas ever gets to see that version of the roster on the floor remains uncertain. As Irving continues his recovery and the deadline approaches, the Mavericks are left balancing patience with urgency — and weighing whether the vision they built around Davis and Irving can still become a reality.

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Tags :Anthony DavisCooper FlaggDallas MavericksJason KiddKyrie IrvingMavericks Injury UpdateNBA NewsNBA Trade Deadline
Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer
Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.
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