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DALLAS — Kyrie Irving played both nights of a back-to-back for the first time since returning from a torn left ACL, logging 38 minutes Monday against the Indiana Pacers. He scored 35 points, and the Dallas Mavericks won 125-122 at American Airlines Center.
On Oct. 23, Irving played in Dallas’ win at Indiana. He sat out the next night against the San Antonio Spurs, the second night of the Mavericks’ first back-to-back. This time, Irving said, he told teammates in the locker room right after Sunday’s 130-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets that he planned to play.
Irving went 11-of-18 from the field, 7-of-10 from 3-point range, and 6-of-7 at the free-throw line, adding 4 assists. Dallas outscored Indiana by 29 points in his 38 minutes, 20 seconds. Entering Monday, he was averaging 21.4 points in 29.5 minutes through eight games.
Afterward, Irving said he felt more than good. He would not go into detail on the plan the medical staff has used.
“I won’t divulge too much information on the injury management plan because my words could get twisted,” Irving said. “But I would say that just in terms of our medical staff and the connection that we have and just the build-up process over the last month, the minutes restriction, just trying to get in better conditioning, better shape and basketball shape playing against the best players in the world.”
“When you’re in a combative sport such as basketball, some days are gonna feel good, some days aren’t, especially coming off an injury or a long period of time,” Irving continued. “So I just had to get my body back used to being in the flow of the games and just after games, what does my recovery look like? And I was just really excited after last night’s game. We handled business in the first half, came out in the second half, handled business again. I played 29 minutes, and I was just feeling great.”
“And just coming in to today, last night, I just want to keep jumping around,” Irving added. “But last night, just letting the guys know in the locker room right after the game, like I plan on playing.”
Kyrie Irving On Getting Back Into The Flow After His ACL Tear
Irving tore his left ACL on March 3, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings and missed the 2025-26 season. The nine-time All-Star turns 35 on March 23.
Dallas was without Morez Johnson Jr. (left shin contusion), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain), and Tarik Biberović (right heel bursitis). With guys out and others returning, Irving said, it is important for him to be ready whether he plays or not on back-to-backs.
“So it was just settling our team and just being prepared for whatever the Indiana Pacers was going to throw at us, and we’re going to be there together,” Irving explained. “So obviously we didn’t have Morez tonight. We still have some few guys out, but we have guys returning in. I think it’s very important for me to be prepared, whether I’m playing or not, in the back-to-backs. But I feel like my attitude was just right in the right place to be able to be prepared for this game tonight. So, grateful.”
Irving’s last answer of the night came back to how he felt. He said good is not really a feeling.
“I feel good, man,” Irving said. “Well, more than good. Good is not really a feeling. I’m excited about the continued effort as we grow and looking forward to the opportunity to continue to have these tests and challenges against the best teams in the world. That’s what the NBA is about. Continuing to prove why you want to be up there with some of the best in the world and going out and proving. So, a lot of gratitude in my heart.”
Dusty May On Irving’s Plus-29 Night
Irving scored 15 points in the first half and 20 after it. His 23-foot 3-pointer with 9:36 left gave Dallas a 98-97 lead it never gave up, and he made three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point try at 8:30. With 18 seconds left and Dallas up one, he made two more.
Mavericks coach Dusty May said one-game plus-minus can be overblown. When Dallas looked flat in the first half, May said, Irving’s shot-making righted the ship.
“Sometimes I think the plus-minus in a one-game sample size is a little bit overblown, but his plus-29 tonight was very indicative of how important he is,” May said. “When we were struggling to make shots, and the first half we thought we were generating really good looks, and we just looked a little bit flat. And I thought Kai’s shot-making just kind of righted the ship for us. And we came out in the third quarter and were able to get over the hump a little bit, but he just makes tough shots.”
“I mean, he’s able to hang in the paint and finish, and the same, just like Coop,” May continued. “They’re so unselfish, and they’re such good teammates that winning is the priority over everything.”
Cooper Flagg, who also played both nights, scored a season-high 43 in 38 minutes, 52 seconds. Irving and Flagg sit at the top of every scouting report, May said, and the mental fatigue of being that engaged is probably tougher than the physical fatigue.
Dallas (7-4) opens a three-game road trip Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center, with tip-off at 7 p.m. CT. The Mavericks’ next back-to-back comes Nov. 14 and 15 at Cleveland and Boston.
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