Kyrie Irving. Image via: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Thursday gave him a chance to thank fans for 19 months of patience. Dallas acquired him in a February 2023 trade, and he won the 2016 title with Cleveland. 14 and Oct. 16 as a way to ease back in front of the crowd. 21 at Houston.
“I want to hear them yell,” he said. The team returns home after Sunday’s game, and he sees the preseason games on Oct. The regular season opens Oct.
Irving has not played in a game since March 3, 2025, when he tore his left ACL. Dallas went 26-56 in 2025-26 without him. The opener is Friday at 7 a.m. CST, and Sunday’s rematch tips at 5 a.m. 9 pick Morez Johnson Jr. dealt with lower leg soreness but is expected to play Friday, according to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. He played only two Summer League games, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 3.0 blocks.
Christian Clark of The Athletic reported May also plans to use a limited roster in both games.
Kyrie Irving will play in one of the two preseason games Dallas has against the Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena in Macao, but the Mavericks have not said which one. Friday’s game is the first chance, and Sunday’s is the other. A full availability report is due before Friday’s tipoff, so the answer should come soon. Yes, in one game but not both. CST. Irving was cleared for the trip with no restrictions, so the split is about workload, not health. He’s now in Macao. Whichever game he plays, fans will get a first live look at Irving next to teenager Cooper Flagg. Dereck Lively II is still recovering from December surgery on his right foot, and Santi Aldama has been limited since camp opened after a March procedure and injection on his right knee. No. Daniel Gafford and Moussa Cisse are the two big men who have stayed healthy. Further updates from the team will determine Irving’s availability.
Coach Dusty May confirmed the split on Thursday and left the choice open.