Kyrie Irving Returns With 17 Points in China, Giving Mavericks New Hope After ACL Injury

After nearly 600 days away from NBA game action, Kyrie Irving reminded basketball fans why his return matters. The Dallas Mavericks star guard scored 17 points in his first game since tearing the ACL in his left knee in March 2025, delivering an encouraging performance in China that offered a glimpse of what could lie ahead for Dallas.

Irving returned Sunday in Macao, helping lead the Mavericks to a 132–115 preseason victory over the Houston Rockets. His comeback was more than a milestone on the calendar. It was a promising first step for a player whose scoring ability, creativity and ball-handling have made him one of the league’s most difficult guards to defend.

A Comeback Nearly 600 Days in the Making

The Mavericks wasted little time getting Irving involved. Dallas called a play for him on the opening possession, and he responded with a reverse layup that immediately energized his teammates and the crowd.

Irving finished with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting in approximately 22 minutes. He also recorded three assists and two rebounds, showing flashes of the offensive instincts that made him a nine-time NBA All-Star.

His last game before the injury came on March 3, 2025, when he tore his left ACL against the Sacramento Kings. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of that season and all of the 2025–26 campaign.

For a player whose game relies on quick changes of direction, balance and explosive movement, returning to competitive basketball after such a lengthy absence represents a significant milestone.

Dallas Sees Reasons for Optimism

Mavericks head coach Dusty May praised Irving’s physical and mental preparation after the game, expressing surprise at how well the veteran performed after so much time away.

Irving’s return also offered fans their first game look at him alongside Cooper Flagg, Dallas’ reigning Rookie of the Year. The pairing gives the Mavericks an intriguing combination: Flagg’s versatility and developing playmaking alongside Irving’s experience, shot creation and ability to control the offense.

The two guards showed early signs of how they could complement one another, including a transition opportunity created by a full-court pass from Flagg to Irving.

Dallas has been looking for reasons to believe it can reestablish itself among the Western Conference’s contenders. Irving’s return does not guarantee that outcome, but his performance provides a meaningful reason for optimism.

Why Irving’s Return Matters

Before his injury, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game across 50 appearances in the 2024–25 season. Reproducing that level of production would give Dallas a major offensive boost.

Still, one preseason game cannot answer every question. Irving must continue rebuilding his conditioning, adjusting to game speed and demonstrating that he can handle the physical demands of an NBA season. The Mavericks will likely prioritize his long-term availability over rushing him into a full workload.

The encouraging sign is that Irving appeared comfortable attacking the basket and creating offense during his limited minutes. His opening possession was a reminder that the skills that made him an elite scorer have not disappeared during his rehabilitation.

The Road Ahead

Irving’s performance in Macao is an encouraging beginning, not the end of his comeback story. The next challenge is sustaining his progress as the preseason gives way to regular-season competition.

For Dallas, a healthy Irving could change the ceiling of its offense and ease the pressure on its younger players. For Irving, the return represents the payoff from a long rehabilitation process and the opportunity to compete again after watching an entire season from the sidelines.

The Mavericks left China with a win, but the most important takeaway may have been seeing their veteran guard back on the floor.

Seventeen points will not define Irving’s season. What matters most is that his comeback has officially begun—and Dallas has reason to believe there is more to come.