MACAO — Kyrie Irving practiced with the Dallas Mavericks in Macao ahead of Friday’s preseason opener against the Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena. The game will be his first in more than 19 months.
Irving talked after Tuesday’s practice in Macao, three days before the opener. On Monday, ANTA told Dallas Sports Journal that Irving is cleared to play in Macao with no restrictions. The brand releases his KAI 3 “Macao Hearts” on Oct. 10, the day after the opener.
Irving last played March 3, 2025, when he tore the ACL in his left knee during a 122-98 home loss to the Sacramento Kings. He had averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 starts that season while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range. Dallas went 26-56 without him in 2025-26.
Kyrie Irving On Returning From A Torn ACL
Irving’s recovery ran through the gym and the weight room. He leaned on his teammates, the coaching staff, and the organization the whole way, and the mental side of coming back is what he is working through now.
“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.”
“But I know that I can’t do that without my teammates being alongside me, coaching staff believing in me, and the whole franchise giving me the confidence as well,” Irving continued. “So this wasn’t a solo job. I did a lot of work in the gym, did a lot of work in the weight room, but I needed a lot of support throughout this whole entire journey, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”
“So I learned a lot about myself, but I learned a lot about embracing challenges and also looking forward to whatever comes my way and dealing with that and having fun doing so,” Irving added.
Before camp opened Sept. 26, Mavericks coach Dusty May had never coached Irving. Last week, May said he couldn’t imagine that Irving is as close to 100% as he can be. Irving has not played in a game alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
Kyrie Irving On Practice And Hot Pot In Macao
Players are listening to their bodies this week. After the workout, the plan was to head back to the hotel and rest before the team ate together that night.
“Today is what we call get what you need, right? And Coach Dusty’s here, he knows exactly where we’re coming from in terms of where our legs are,” Irving explained. “And I mean, we just gotta listen to our bodies, but it’s always good when you get in the gym, get some good work in, go back to the hotel, rest up, and then we have a [team] dinner later tonight, break some bread, and feel good about the next few days as we continue to work.”
This is the Mavericks’ first trip to China since 2018, when Dallas played the Philadelphia 76ers in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Irving wants his teammates in the culture while they are here, not only around each other.
“I feel like everybody needs to go do a hot pot and break bread together and circle the table a little bit, swivel the table, have some nice sake or some things and a wine or whatever you like. I’m not encouraging drinking out there, kids. A little tea, maybe. A little tea, for sure,” Irving said.
“But it’s always good to have the hot pot and be able to listen to some good music and just vibe,” Irving continued. “Here, when I say vibe, I don’t want to dismiss that. I want to say you want to have a great time being with your family, but also engulfing yourself in the culture.”
Dallas and Houston meet Friday at 6:30 a.m. CT and again Sunday at 4:30 a.m. CT, with both games airing on NBA TV. The Mavericks open the regular season Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT in Houston.
