Dallas officially shuts down Kyrie Irving for the rest of the NBA season

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Dallas Mavericks announced on Feb. 19, 2026, that superstar point guard Kyrie Irving will not make his highly anticipated return during the 2025-2026 NBA season.

In a statement by the franchise, Irving will continue with his rehab to fully recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his left knee, which he suffered in March 2025.

Although Dallas remained optimistic that Irving could rejoin the squad after the All-Star break, a change of heart took place within the organization, which collectively decided to sideline the stalwart in preparation for the 2026-2027 NBA season.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said.

“I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates, and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season.”

The nine-time NBA All-Star sustained the season-ending injury against the Sacramento Kings after attempting a coast-to-coast layup at the 2:35 mark of the first quarter.

After getting sandwiched by DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas, Irving split the double team with a power hop move, but his left knee bent awkwardly and he immediately fell on the floor.

Irving quickly grabbed his left knee, pointed at Dallas’ conditioning staff, and was in disbelief. He had to be helped to his feet by his teammates but did not put any weight on his left leg.

He then received a warm round of applause from the Dallas fans and the Sacramento bench when he headed to the free-throw line to shoot a pair of charities. Irving made both shots but went to the locker room afterward and did not return to the game.

Before exiting, Irving was bound for a stellar performance after already tallying seven points, one rebound, and an assist in nine minutes of playing time.

Without Irving’s presence, the Mavericks struggled to pick up consistent wins and are currently sitting at the 12th spot in the Western Conference with a 19-35 win-loss record.