“I love Ky to death, right? When he was going through all his issues in Brooklyn and before that, Boston, we were just trying to find another star to pair with Luka,”  former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said during his appearance on The Arena podcast. For Cuban, the goal was clear. Bring Irving to Dallas to pair the former Duke standout with one of the league’s brightest young talents. But that pairing lasted only two seasons. By February 2025, Dončić had been traded to the Lakers under Nico Harrison, leaving Irving as the marquee figure on a roster now in transition.

March came with another setback: Irving tore his ACL against the Sacramento Kings, that abruptly ended his season. Irving is yet to have a season completely free from major injuries since his arrival in Dallas. With the upcoming campaign expected to majorly set a tone for what’s coming in the near future, Irving becomes even more important as the Mavs hope to see Cooper Flagg settle in quickly.

Today, the Mavericks are navigating a new landscape. Flagg has emerged as the new face of the franchise, and ahead of their media day, questions around Irving’s health and timeline to return still hang over Dallas like a shadow.

Will we see Kyrie Irving on Mavericks media day?

Yes, Kyrie Irving is expected to attend the Dallas Mavericks’ media day, that is scheduled on September 29, 2025. It might come as a relief to fans who have been anxiously following his recovery, but the situation surrounding the veteran guard is far from straightforward. After all, Irving was not expected to return for the whole season and post injury timeline has been filled with speculation about his return and how he fits into Dallas’ post-Luka era.

Irving’s contract situation adds another layer to the intrigue. After declining his $43 million player option, he agreed to a new three-year, $119 million deal, which is a signal that he sees the franchise as his long-term home.

Still, Irving’s approach to off-season activities continue to raise questions. Unlike younger players like Flagg, who have been training extensively with the coaching staff, Irving has largely focused on individual rehab and conditioning work. While this is standard for someone recovering from an ACL tear, it means the Mavericks’ media day could be one of the first opportunities for fans to actually see him showing that commitment publicly, which his new extension suggests.

The Mavericks go into training camp from September 30 to October 4, 2025, at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. This is a growing trend among NBA teams to choose distant locations that provide a unique setting for the team to bond and prepare for the upcoming season. Additionally, the Toronto Raptors are also conducting their training camp at the University of Calgary, marking the first time the franchise has held camp in Alberta.

When will Kyrie Irving return from injury?

Kyrie Irving is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, which means he might be returning as early as January of 2026. Many Dallas Mavericks insiders have indicated that Irving’s rehabilitation process has  progressed more rapidly than anticipated. The news brings new optimism about his potential return to the court sooner than expected. And recent updates from Irving himself, seem positive.

For the Mavericks, media day is a stage where both Irving and the organization will face tough questions. How far along is his rehab? Will he be ready for the start of the season, or is a phased return more realistic? And how does he see himself contributing to a roster now centered on Cooper Flagg? While the Mavericks’ front office remains publicly supportive, insiders note that there hasn’t been a clear timeline shared with the public, which suggests that it might simply be a case of Irving not yet having a set timeline.

Kyrie was seen in a recent workout video. In the footage, Irving was making a series of three-pointers with ease, signalling his strong shooting form and confidence on the court. And if that was any indication, Irving himself expressed his determination to return “150,000% better,” in a livestream.