Sports · Basketball · 7 hrs ago
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return as Mavericks beat Rockets in China
Kyrie Irving played his first game in 586 days on Sunday, as the Dallas Mavericks faced the Houston Rockets in Macao, China.
Irving had missed the previous season while recovering from a torn ligament in his left knee.
He scored 17 points and made three assists in 22 minutes as Dallas won the preseason game 132-115.
The Mavericks had planned to ease him back into action, and he had sat out their preseason opener on Friday.
He also played alongside rookie Cooper Flagg for the first time.
Irving said it felt good to be back, and the Rockets' coach said he should improve as he regains his rhythm.
Kyrie Irving returned after 586 days out as Dallas beat Houston 132-115 in a preseason game in Macao, China.
Irving scored 17 points in 22 minutes in his first game since tearing the ACL in his left knee.
He missed all of last season while recovering from the injury.
Dallas also started rookie Zaccharie Risacher, who scored 16 points.
Houston rested star Alperen Sengun.
- Who
- The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets played, with Kyrie Irving returning for Dallas.
- What
- Dallas won 132-115 in a preseason game. Irving scored 17 points in 22 minutes.
- When
- Sunday night, October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Macao, China.
- Why
- It was a preseason game; Irving was returning to action after recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A lot of emotions leading into it,
I didn't expect him to play this well after being off for so long, just [because of] the rhythm of the game,
He's back to being who he is,
He looked phenomenal.
Irving tore the ACL in his left knee.
Irving sustained a Grade 2 calf strain that interrupted his rehabilitation.
Irving sat out Dallas's preseason opener as part of the team's plan to ease him back into action.
Irving returned to game action as Dallas beat Houston 132-115 in Macao.
- Final score
- Dallas Mavericks 132, Houston Rockets 115
- Irving's return
- First game action in 586 days
- Irving's performance
- 17 points in 22 minutes
- Zaccharie Risacher
- 16 points as a Dallas starter
- Location
- Macao, China
Sources
Related news
Warriors and Brandin Podziemski agree to five-year, $110 million extension
Towns disappointed as Knicks pause contract extension talks
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return from knee injury
Wizards Sign Alondes Williams and Waive Skal Labissiere
ASVEL beats Roanne 96-77 in Tony and TJ Parker’s rematch
Kings center Maxime Raynaud injures right knee in preseason game
Knicks pause extension talks with Towns, Hart and two other players
Atlanta Dream sweep New York to reach WNBA Finals for first time since 2013
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in first game back after ACL injury
Valkyries sweep Aces to reach first WNBA Finals
LeBron James scores 10 in 76ers preseason debut as team loses to Nets
