MACAO — Kyrie Irving will play in one of the Dallas Mavericks’ two preseason games against the Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena, Mavericks coach Dusty May said after Thursday’s practice. Dallas has not decided which of the two games he will play.
The last time Irving played was March 3, 2025. He tore the ACL in his left knee that night in a 122-98 home loss to the Sacramento Kings. His recovery was set back about eight weeks by a calf strain in December. On Feb. 18, Dallas ruled him out for the rest of 2025-26.
Dusty May On Kyrie Irving And A Limited Roster
Lineup combinations for Friday’s opener are still being worked out. The Mavericks left for China on Oct. 4, five days before the first game.
“No, we’ll have a limited roster. Even with Kyrie, he’s going to play one game here,” May said. “We still haven’t decided which one, based on how his body feels, especially with the jet lag and things like that.”
“So, no, it’s still inconclusive at this time,” May continued. “We’re working on different lineup combinations, but as of now, we’re still working on that.”
Before camp opened Sept. 26, May had never coached Irving. Dallas opened camp three days before the rest of the league because of the Macao trip, and Irving has practiced since the first day. ANTA told Dallas Sports Journal on Monday that he is cleared to play in Macao with no restrictions. Irving turned 34 in March.
Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 starts in 2024-25. He shot 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range that season. He has never played a game with reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
Irving did a lot of work in the gym and the weight room during the recovery. It was not a solo job, he said after Tuesday’s practice, three days before the opener.
“For me personally, it’s just getting out of my own way and the mental aspect of it, being back on the floor, putting my uniform back on, hearing my name be called,” Irving said. “It feels like it’s been a distant memory. It’s been a year and some change, so I do feel like a little kid at the candy store a little bit, just waiting for my opportunity to be able to show my stuff.”
Dallas Mavericks And Houston Rockets Schedule In Macao
Last week, May called the Macao games a fact-finding mission and said winning would not be the primary objective. Dallas finished 26-56 last season, its worst record in eight years.
This is the Mavericks’ first trip to China since 2018, when Dallas played the Philadelphia 76ers in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Irving’s first game in 19 months will be either Friday’s opener, which tips off at 6:30 a.m. CT, or Sunday’s rematch at 4:30 a.m. CT. NBA TV has both. Ten days after the second game, Dallas goes back to Houston for its regular-season opener on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
