Kyrie Irving Torn ACL: Recovery Time For Mavs PG + Kyrie Injury History

The Dallas Mavericks have faced another tough setback as star guard Kyrie Irving has a torn ACL, ending his season.
This injury happened during Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings, adding to a season already filled with injuries for the team. With Irving out for the remainder of the year, the Mavericks have a challenging road ahead in their playoff quest.
The team has lost four of its last five games and is currently in the No. 10 position in the standings. For now, Dallas fans must prepare for an uncertain future as their team strives to stay in the playoff race.
Kyrie Irving Torn ACL: Out For Rest Of Season
Getting injured late in the first quarter during Monday's 122-98 loss to the Kings while driving to the basket, Kyrie’s left knee twisted awkwardly as he tried to make a layup, causing him to fall hard. He stayed in the game long enough to shoot free throws after a foul but was soon taken to the locker room.
Initially thought to have a knee sprain, further tests revealed a torn ACL, which means he will miss the rest of the 2024-25 season – and maybe even more, depending on his specific ACL recovery time. The Mavericks, already dealing with injuries, now lose their top player.
Of course, they had recently traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, who then got hurt in his first game with the team. With the Kyrie Irving torn ACL news, Davis and Irving are now both out, and the Mavericks' chances for the playoffs are looking grim.
Torn ACL Recovery Time: How Long Does It Take?
A torn ACL is a serious injury for athletes, especially in high-impact sports like basketball. ACL recovery time usually takes six to nine months, with most players needing at least eight months before they can return to full activities.
The Kyrie Irving torn ACL news means he will miss the rest of the season and might not be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season. Recovering from ACL surgery involves several steps. First, Irving must let the swelling go down before having surgery.
After the operation, he will follow a strict rehab plan to regain knee stability, strength and movement. Although medical advances have improved torn ACL recovery time, the process is tough, and there's no guarantee Irving will be back to his best right away, especially when you consider Kyrie’s injury history.
Kyrie Irving Salary & Mavs Depth Chart
Irving's injury brings up concerns about the Mavericks' finances and team depth for the future. The experienced guard is in the second year of a three-year, $120 million deal with Dallas. He is scheduled to make a base salary of $40 million for the 2024-25 season. Kyrie Irving’s salary carries a cap hit of $41 million.
With Irving sidelined, the Mavs depth chart is significantly weakened, specifically at guard. Spencer Dinwiddie is expected to take on a bigger role as point guard, while Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum and Max Christie will need to step up for backcourt support. Furthermore, Klay Thompson may have to take on more playmaking tasks in addition to his scoring duties.
MAVS DEPTH CHART | ||||
PG | Jaden Hardy (DD) | |||
SG | ||||
SF | ||||
PF | P.J. Washington (DD) | |||
C | P.J. Washington (DD) |
Kyrie Irving Injury History
Adding to a long list of injuries that have affected his career is this Kyrie Irving torn ACL news. He has faced problems with his shoulder, thumb, back and foot, among others. Earlier this season, he missed games due to shoulder pain.
Here are some of the key instances regarding Kyrie’s injury history in recent seasons:
- February 2025: Shoulder injuries (multiple instances)
- January 2025: Back injury
- December 2024: Shoulder issues
- April 2024: Hamstring injury
- February 2024: Thumb injury
- March 2023: Foot injuries (multiple occurrences)
- April 2021: Ankle injury
- June 2021: Ankle injury (playoffs)
- December 2019: Right shoulder injury
- March 2018: Knee surgery
Taking the above Kyrie injury history into consideration, this torn ACL certainly raises worries about Irving's long-term health and his ability to regularly take the court.