Kyrie Eyes Early Comeback: Mavericks Star Targeting Pre-All-Star Return — Could Dallas Unleash Kyrie, AD, and Cooper Flagg by February?
The Dallas Mavericks’ offseason just got a major jolt of optimism.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, star guard Kyrie Irving is making significant progress in his recovery and is now targeting a return to action before the 2026 All-Star break. While the Mavericks have made it clear they won’t rush their veteran playmaker back, Irving’s personal goal is to rejoin the lineup sometime between January and February.
For a Mavericks team that underwent a dramatic transformation this offseason, the news couldn’t come at a better time.
Kyrie’s Comeback Timeline: Sooner Than Expected?
Irving’s recovery has been closely monitored ever since offseason reports confirmed the star underwent a lower-body procedure, initially putting his early 2026 availability in doubt. But sources indicate that Kyrie’s rehab is ahead of schedule, and his determination to return to the floor remains unwavering.
Shams confirmed the update during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV:
“The Mavericks won’t rush him, but Kyrie’s personal goal is clear — he wants to be back before the All-Star break. If everything goes well, we could see him back as early as January or February.”
A New-Look Mavericks Squad Waiting for Kyrie
Irving’s anticipated return would mark the final piece of what could be Dallas’ most exciting lineup in years.
The Mavericks made waves this summer by acquiring Anthony Davis, adding elite size, rim protection, and playoff pedigree to the roster. They also selected Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick and one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory.
The prospect of Kyrie, AD, and Flagg sharing the court before the All-Star break has Mavericks fans buzzing — and opposing teams on high alert.
What This Means for Dallas
With or without Kyrie, the Mavericks are expected to be competitive early in the season, thanks to the presence of Luka Dončić, Davis, and their revamped supporting cast. But Irving’s return injects a new level of offensive creativity, shot-making, and veteran leadership into the equation.
A healthy Kyrie gives Dallas:
✅ An elite secondary ball-handler to ease the load on Luka
✅ A clutch scorer capable of changing the game in crunch time
✅ Another dynamic option to complement Davis and Flagg
If all three are fully integrated by February, the Mavericks could emerge as legitimate Western Conference title contenders.
The Road Ahead: Patience, but Optimism
While the early reports are encouraging, the Mavericks organization is expected to remain cautious. With championship aspirations in mind, rushing Irving back too soon simply isn’t an option.
But for fans in Dallas — and for the league at large — the possibility of Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg all taking the floor together by February adds yet another layer of intrigue to what’s shapin
g up to be a wild 2026 NBA season.
