It felt like time stopped around 10:50 a.m. Friday when Kyrie Irving entered the Dallas Mavericks‘ press conference room for Media Day.

The more than 30 reporters were laughing and having a great time, but when Irving walked in, the energy became serious.

Irving had not spoken to the local media since the Mavericks held their 2025 Media Day. Back then, there was an expectation that Irving would return to the floor during the 2025-26 season, but that never happened.

The 6-foot-2 guard tore his left ACL on March 3, 2025, and missed the next one and a half seasons.

Irving early in his availability gave an update on his recovery from his knee injury.

“No restrictions,” he said. “ Everyone’s going to give me the support that I need. My injury was probably the best thing that happened to me”

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