Kyrie Irving’s first basket back was a reverse layup on Dallas’ opening trip, and the Mavericks’ bench was already on its feet. After nearly 600 days away from NBA game action, Irving led Dallas with 17 points in a 132-115 preseason victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night in Macao, China.
| Player/Team | Points | Other Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving, Mavericks | 17 | 6-for-13 shooting, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, just under 22 minutes |
| Dallas Mavericks | 132 | Preseason win |
| Houston Rockets | 115 | Preseason loss |
Irving shakes off a 20-month absence
Irving had not appeared in a game since tearing the ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025. He missed all of last season, leaving Sunday as his first live action in a little more than 20 months.
Dallas won the opening tip, and reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg found Irving on the right side. Irving immediately drove along the baseline and finished on the other side of the rim. The Mavericks’ reserves erupted, while the crowd responded loudly despite Houston’s deep following in China, where Yao Ming remains a towering figure from his Rockets career and Hall of Fame resume.
“I’m grateful Dusty called that first play for me,” Irving said. “I had already decided I was going to attack. I had pictured it and dreamed about how it would happen, so I’m glad to get that moment behind me. My teammates rising from the bench to celebrate meant a lot. Being able to play at a high level again felt amazing.”
Dallas coach Dusty May kept the night measured. Irving logged eight minutes in the first quarter, slightly more than eight in the second, then played the first 5 1/2 minutes after halftime before sitting out the remainder.
May came away impressed by more than the production.
“His physical condition and his mental condition were impressive,” May said. “From the first workout I watched, he has been an artist, like a jazz musician. After that much time out, I did not expect him to play this well.”
A needed piece for Dallas
Before the knee injury late in the 2024-25 season, the nine-time All-Star was scoring 24.7 points per game for Dallas. The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals in 2024, but they have missed the postseason in each of the last two seasons. An Irving return anywhere near his previous level would change the shape of their backcourt and give the club a major offensive lift.
Houston guard Marcus Smart said Irving’s return mattered beyond a preseason result.
“When a player comes back from the injury Ky had, it is always good to see him back on the floor,” Smart said. “We compete, but you want to compete against the best players and have everyone available. He looked good, and that is what we expected. I’m very happy for him.”
China crowd gets its Irving moment
Irving has long been a popular visitor in China and thanked supporters who waited outside Dallas’ hotel, as well as those who sent encouragement through social media. He said he expects to return in 2027 during his annual world tour.
Sunday’s game carried plenty of emotion after the long rehabilitation, but Irving framed it as another step rather than a finish line.
“There were definitely a lot of emotions going into it,” Irving said. “I’m looking forward to getting home and continuing what we learned from each other here.”
