In the absence of Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks began a new era, and the health of Kyrie Irving will be at the heart of how far they go.
After five months removed from the ACL surgery, Irving provided fans with an optimistic reason for an encouraging update on progress.
“I'm doing more in the gym. I'm doing more in the gym,” Owen said on Twitch. “I want to tell you what I'm doing because it's all about incremental growth, but I can share with you some great days, it's a great time in the gym. I'm recovering.
“I’m doing more in the gym…I’m recovering.
Kyrie Irving shares where he is in recovery from the torn ACL 🗣️
(via Kyriirving/Twitch)pic.twitter.com/bdbzftyia2
– Clutchpoints (@clutchpoints) August 27, 2025
Irving's comments are as the Mavericks prepare for a season full of change. The rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, will be his highly anticipated debut. The team also introduced D'Angelo Russell to take the starting point guard position until Irving was cleared.
Dallas doubled its core in the offseason, signing for a three-year, $119 million extension, while also locking center Daniel Gafford for a three-year, $54 million deal.
However, the Mavericks' ceiling will ultimately depend on Irving and Anthony Davis staying healthy.
“If Anthony Davis, if Kyrie Irving is healthy, and [AD] The Dallas Mavericks brought his game, ESPN's Stephen A. It's liquid; it can change. But it's legal, everyone knows it. Because one thing we won't say about the ad is that brothers can't play.”
The Mavericks will have a lot of competition in the West in defending champions Oklahoma City, the Denver Nuggets and a reloaded Houston Rockets.
Read more: ESPN insiders rank Luka Doncic second in MVP early forecast
