Jason Kidd Says Kyrie Irving’s Return Won’t Be Impacted By Dallas Mavericks’ Standings Outlook

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd offered his most detailed update yet on Kyrie Irving’s recovery from a torn ACL, reinforcing that while progress continues, no return timeline has been established, and the team’s position in the standings will not factor into the decision.

Before the injury, Irving was playing at an elite level for Dallas. During the 2024–25 season, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games, earning selection to his ninth NBA All-Star Game. Irving tore the ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025, and has remained sidelined throughout the 2025–26 season.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Kidd addressed speculation surrounding Irving’s status as the season moves toward the All-Star break — a window that had already been identified as the most realistic return benchmark in a Jan. 12 DallasHoopsJournal.com report.

No Timeline Yet for Kyrie Irving as Rehab Progresses

Kidd began by emphasizing that there has been no formal update to Irving’s medical timeline, even as his rehabilitation work continues to trend positively.

“Well, there isn’t anything new,” Kidd said. “I know there’s a lot of speculation going on, but he’s working extremely hard in rehab. I spent some time with him yesterday — he’s in good spirits and he feels great.”

While Kidd acknowledged the encouraging nature of Irving’s progress, he reiterated that the organization is not operating with a set timetable.

“At some point, there will be a timeline, but right now, there is no timeline,” Kidd said. “Spending time with him yesterday, he’s working extremely hard.”

Jason Kidd’s Comments Align With Prior All-Star Break Expectation

In a Jan. 12 report, DallasHoopsJournal.com reported that while the Mavericks had not shut Irving down for the season, the prevailing internal expectation was that any realistic return would come after the NBA All-Star break, rather than before it.

Kidd’s comments Thursday reinforced the same expectation outlined in that report, with the head coach acknowledging a post–All-Star break return as the most realistic window while emphasizing that no firm target has been set.

“Don’t take this out of context — he wants to get back. He wants to play,” Kidd said. “But when you come back from an ACL, it’s a time thing. Mentally and physically, you want to be 100 percent. He’s doing both of those things at a high level, and at some point there will be a schedule.”

Kidd’s comments Thursday closely mirrored the outlook previously reported, underscoring that while Irving’s rehabilitation continues to trend positively, the organization remains focused on long-term readiness rather than accelerating toward a fixed return date.

“Now to the second part of your question — it would probably be after the All-Star break,” he said. “But there are also other plans that can come into play. Being able to get on the floor and play in an NBA game is different than practice, so those are boxes he might want to check mentally and physically.”

Standings Will Not Influence the Dallas Mavericks’ Decision

The Mavericks enter Thursday’s game against Golden State with an 18-26 record, ranking 12th in the Western Conference, but Kidd made clear that competitive context will not factor into the calculus as Irving’s recovery continues.

“That has nothing to do with it,” Kidd said. “It’s about him — mentally and physically — being able to play at the highest level, and in his mind, not anyone else’s.”

At media day in September, Irving described his recovery as steady while reiterating that timelines have never been the focus.

“I’m right on schedule,” Irving said. “Not ahead. Not behind. On schedule. Whatever the schedule is.”

For now, Kidd’s message — and the organization’s approach — remains consistent with the reporting from earlier this month: Irving’s readiness, not the standings or speculation, will determine when he returns.

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