NBA Notes: Kyrie Irving, Mavericks, Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers, Knicks

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving says he’s making steady progress five months after ACL surgery — but Dallas continues to stress patience, even as the recovery is described as “ahead of schedule.”

“I was in the gym doing a little bit more,” Irving said. “It’s all about incremental growth… it was some good days in the gym. I’m healing up great.”

Irving, 33, tore his left ACL on March 3 and had surgery later that month. The typical return window for pros is 8–12 months, which puts his target date anywhere between January and mid-2026. GM Nico Harrison has already made clear: the Mavs will not fast-track him.

Haliburton sets timeline for return: Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton joined the Impaulsive podcast and guessed when fans will see him again after tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals.

“Basically, from the injury, I think 15 months until I play my next game,” Haliburton said.

That puts his return in late 2026. He’ll miss all of next season after a stellar 2024-25 run where he averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists and made All-NBA Third Team while carrying Indiana to the Finals. Without him — and without Myles Turner, who bolted to Milwaukee –the Pacers are likely out of the contender mix.

Staley on Knicks job: ‘I would have left’ South Carolina coach Dawn Staley confirmed on the Post Moves podcast that she interviewed for the Knicks’ head coaching vacancy this offseason — and would’ve taken the job if it had been offered. Instead, New York hired Mike Brown.

According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Staley wasn’t a finalist despite leaving a strong impression. She would’ve joined a short list of women on NBA benches, a group that includes Indiana’s Jenny Boucek, Atlanta’s Brittni Donaldson and the Lakers’ Lindsey Harding.

Harding, notably, broke ground in 2024 as the first woman to win G League Coach of the Year while leading Stockton.