Cooper Flagg has been the centre of attention in Dallas ever since he was chosen with the first overall pick in Wednesday night’s NBA Draft.
On the other hand, Thursday brought major injury news to Mavericks supporters regarding Kyrie Irving, another former first-round choice.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who spoke with Irving on “Get Up,” Irving hopes to make a comeback from his ruptured ACL by the midpoint of the 2025–26 season.
Mavericks Won’t be ‘Rushing (Irving) Back,’ Guard ‘Targeting’ Midseason Return
According to Charania’s report, Irving’s timeline to come back from his injury may have him back in the lineup before the 2026 All-Star break and under one year after he went down vs. the Kings.
“I’m told the Mavericks are not going to be rushing him back.
He personally is hopeful and targeting that January-February period,” the insider said.
The nine-time All-Star posted 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game across 50 contests last season before suffering his injury.
Could Mavericks be a Western Conference Finals Contender in 2026?
Ever since the ping pong balls miraculously bounced Dallas’ way during May’s NBA Draft Lottery, the heavy assumption was that the franchise would select Flagg with the top overall pick.
Despite plenty of trade ideas crafted by NBA writers which would have planted Flagg with another team, there was never any real chance that the Mavericks would give up the rights to draft the once-in-a-generation talent.
Joined by Irving upon his return from injury and 10-time All-Star, top big man Anthony Davis, Dallas could provide a formidable challenge in the Western Conference once again in 2026.
Despite Luka Doncic’s clear departure, head coach Jason Kidd and most of the other players from their 2024 NBA Finals team are still with the team.
Leave a Reply