Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving will not share the court this season.
The Dallas Mavericks announced that Irving will be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
“Cooper is just an amazing player & that’s not even just gassing it,” Irving said on a Twitch stream. “At 19 years old, doing the things that he’s doing within our league is very special … I don’t want to mince my words either. He’s doing things that some of the greats, even before him, didn’t do. He’s chasing history.”
Irving, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee nearly one year ago, said the decision to wait until next season to return “wasn’t easy, but it was the right one.”
“I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process,” he said in a statement the Mavericks issued. “I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows.
“I wanted to send a huge shout-out to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”
Irving tore the ACL in his left knee during a March 3 game against the Sacramento Kings. He accidentally stepped on Kings center Jonas Valančiūnas’ foot and fell to the floor in pain. Irving remained in the game to attempt free throws but then was helped by teammates to the back of American Airlines Center.
Later medical imaging revealed structural damage in Irving’s left knee. He underwent successful surgery March 26 in New York.
Without Irving in the lineup this season, the Mavericks (19-35) have lacked elite shooting (39% career 3-point shooter) and playmaking (5.6 assists per game) at guard. Coming out of the All-Star break, Dallas is in 10th place in the Western Conference standings.
Irving and former Mavericks center Anthony Davis played only 25 minutes together in Dallas. The Mavericks traded Davis to the Washington Wizards for salary relief and draft capital in early February.
The Mavericks control their first-round pick in this year’s draft but do not have full control of another of their own first-round selections until 2031. Dallas, on a nine-game losing streak, is hopeful for lottery luck again after hitting on a 1.8% chance to land the No. 1 pick in May.
Irving signed a three-year, $119 million contract with the Mavericks in July. He is owed $39.5 million next season and holds a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28.
Irving turns 34 in March. Next season will be his 15th in the NBA.
“ It’s not easy to come back from any injury, but you gotta be mentally, spiritually, physically ready & the frustrating portion has been not being able to push myself to that brink, where you’re just dog tired,” Irving said on his Twitch stream over All-Star weekend.
The Mavericks travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
