Dallas needed some new ray of hope after it traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers, considered by some as a modest deal. Now, the Mavs are completely relying on a new foundation headlined by rookie phenom Cooper Flagg and former No. 1 pick Anthony Davis. But with only a handful of games into the season, that bold experiment is already facing its first real test. Sitting at 2–3, the Mavericks are still trying to build chemistry, and now, just as things began to click, disaster struck when Davis suddenly went down mid-game against the Pacers. The team might get back on track as one of their star players is potentially ready to make his return.

The star in question is none other than Shooting Guard Kyrie Irving. Recently, NBA insider Marc Stein gave a positive update about Irving on X, and hopefully, by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, fans might have something additional to be thankful for. “Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said that ‘hopefully it’s in the year ’25 — not ‘26 — but we’ll see what happens.’”

It’s been a long road back for Kyrie Irving, and the Mavericks have been careful not to rush the process. Just a month ago, the team emphasized that he was “right on schedule” during Media Day. Since suffering a torn ACL on March 3, Irving has been focused on rehabbing and getting stronger. His surgery, performed on March 26, set the clock ticking on a careful nine-month recovery plan. If all goes smoothly, a late December return would hit that milestone. 

But Irving is not sitting idle at home. He has been hovering around the team during games, attending team meetings, and working one-on-one with assistant coach Phil Handy. He’s also stepped into a mentor role for rookie Cooper Flagg, guiding the 18-year-old through the challenges of running the point in his absence. 

That’s why, when asked about how Irving would fit with Flagg once he returns, Kidd sounded optimistic. “Ky is going to be a perfect fit with Cooper Flagg, when you talk about his skillset of being able to dribble and score,” Kidd said. “He also creates space on the floor for Cooper, and vice versa. We just can’t wait to get Ky back at some point.”

But it seems like ACL injuries have become an all-too-common hurdle for NBA stars lately. Just look at Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Portland’s Damian Lillard, and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, all on long roads to recovery. While Lillard and Haliburton are expected to miss the season, Tatum hasn’t completely ruled out a comeback.

Last season, Kyrie Irving was putting up 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, shooting 47.3 percent from the field, good for 59th in the league. Without him, the Mavericks are missing a reliable playmaker who can break down defenses. They brought in D’Angelo Russell to fill that role, but he’s showing signs of being past his prime. Dante Exum can help, but he’s more of a stopgap, and Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy are still untested at this level.

That leaves a lot of responsibility on AD, but that plan has already hit a few bumps.

Anthony Davis out for now?

Anthony Davis’ night against the Pacers on Wednesday ended abruptly. After sinking a jumper, he seemed fine at first, but soon began favoring his left leg. Moments later, he left the court and headed to the locker room for further checks, leaving fans and teammates concerned about the star big man’s condition. And the fear seemed to come true. 

The Mavericks announced Friday that Davis will miss at least the next two games due to a mild left calf strain. He’ll be re-evaluated after the team’s road trip, and given the nature of calf and Achilles issues, he could end up sidelined longer. The issues aren’t entirely new. Davis came into Dallas’ camp carrying extra weight, around 15 pounds heavier than his usual athletic frame, which raised eyebrows among observers. 

On top of that, he’s been managing discomfort in both Achilles tendons, a tricky area for any player. But especially for a veteran like Davis, who has already battled calf strains and Achilles problems in past seasons.

Even with these challenges, Davis has been productive this season. He is averaging around 25 points, nearly 12 rebounds, and a few assists per game this season. Can the iconic duo AD and KY reunite before the end of this year?