Dallas Mavericks News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

'Don’t Hold Your Breath on That': Resurfaced Kyrie Irving Comment Sparks Unwarranted Panic Over Injury Return Timeline

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Grant Afseth | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 12:52 PM ET

Kyrie Irving has made it clear that he’s in no rush. But the internet, predictably, didn’t listen. An old comment by the Dallas Mavericks guard during a casual livestream recently resurfaced and set off alarm bells among the basketball world, triggering a wave of speculation that the nine-time NBA All-Star might not return to action in time for the 2026 playoffs. The reality? Irving reiterated what he and the team have already acknowledged — his recovery from ACL surgery is ongoing, and he’s taking a cautious approach.

“Don’t hold your breath on that,” Irving said when asked during an old stream if he would return for the 2026 postseason. “It doesn’t mean that I won’t be back. It’s just, I don’t want to make any predictions on when I’m going to be back. I just want to be back 150,000% better.”

The comment, made weeks ago, only began circulating widely on social media on Sunday after Swish Access posted it as if it were a new clip, which started an aggregation news cycle. It stirred overreactions about Irving’s long-term health and the Mavericks’ playoff hopes, but nothing has changed.

Kyrie Irving if he’ll be back for playoffs:

“Don’t hold your breath on that… I just want to be back 150,000% better. I’m taking my time right now to really get healthy… I just want to be back out there.”

(Via Kyrie’s stream) #NBA pic.twitter.com/tVZDLAiWpY
— Swish Access (@SwishAccess) July 6, 2025

Dallas has remained publicly optimistic about Irving’s trajectory following his ACL tear on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings. While the original expectation called for a 9-to-12-month recovery, Irving and head coach Jason Kidd emphasized that any timeline is tentative based on how Irving responds to rehab over the coming months.

“We know [Kyrie] won’t be back until January, February, March,” Kidd said earlier this offseason. “I didn’t want to put a time limit on it, because I don’t want to be held to, ‘Well you said January.’ But knowing [Kyrie], he’s going to try to come back soon.”

Irving, who underwent surgery just over three weeks after sustaining the injury, has been open about the emotional toll of the recovery process.

“It’s not pretty,” Irving said. “Yes, it is a beautiful struggle, but I go through kind of the mental rollercoaster ride every day. Just want to be back out there.”

The Mavericks are building with the expectation that Irving will return when he’s fully healthy — and not a moment sooner. Until then, newly signed guard D’Angelo Russell is expected to take on a central role in the Dallas backcourt alongside top pick Cooper Flagg, who arrived with high expectations as the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s NBA Draft.

Irving’s injury came amid a chaotic stretch for Dallas, including the shocking midseason trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the upheaval, the Mavericks have remained focused on maintaining a competitive roster around Anthony Davis and Flagg, with Irving’s long-term commitment solidified via a new contract extension.

The Mavericks officially re-signed Irving to a three-year, $119 million deal, declining his $43 million player option for 2025-26 in favor of a long-term agreement with a player option for 2027-28. The structure mirrors Davis’ deal, giving Dallas a multi-year window to contend with its new core.

Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 50 games last season while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from deep, and 91.6% from the free-throw line. Since joining Dallas in February 2023, he’s averaged 25.5 points per game and ranks second in franchise history in scoring average (min. 100 games).

His value to the Mavericks has never been questioned, and both sides remain aligned on his recovery goals. While Irving may miss significant time in the upcoming season, he prioritizes his long-term health over short-term pressure.

“This is one of those times in not only my career but in the legacy play of being a Dallas Maverick, where we have a chance to do something special,” Irving said on NBA TV. “It’s an exciting time to be a Dallas Maverick. It’s an exciting time to be a Dallas Maverick fan.”

So, while the internet might have seized on one partial quote and turned it into something bigger, the truth is that Irving is recovering, focused, and committed — but not rushing.