Dallas Mavericks’ Irving excited to play again after lengthy injury absence

MACAU: Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving said on Thursday he was excited to return to game action after a 19-month absence, with the nine-times All-Star set to make his comeback at the NBA China Games in Macau following his recovery from a torn ACL. The 34-year-old American tore his ACL in March 2025 during the first quarter of the Mavericks’ loss to the Sacramento Kings. He stayed on the court to make two free throws before leaving the game in tears. Irving missed the final 20 games of the