Sports · Basketball · 8 hrs ago
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return from knee injury
Kyrie Irving played his first game in more than 20 months on Sunday, as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 132-115 in a pre-season game in Macau.
The Dallas guard had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in March 2025 and missed the entire following season.
He scored 17 points in just under 22 minutes, the most for the Mavericks.
Irving said he was grateful to return and thanked his teammates and fans for their support.
He was averaging 24.7 points for Dallas when he was injured.
The Mavericks reached the NBA finals in 2024 but missed the last two postseasons, so Irving’s return could strengthen the team.
He is expected to continue building back after this first game, though no further schedule was given.
Kyrie Irving scored 17 points in his return to game action as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 132-115 in a pre-season game.
The game on Sunday was played in Macau, China.
It was Irving’s first game since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on 3 March 2025.
Irving shot six for 13 in just under 22 minutes, adding three assists and two rebounds.
He missed all of last season after the injury.
- Who
- Kyrie Irving, playing for the Dallas Mavericks, returned against the Houston Rockets.
- What
- Irving scored 17 points in the Mavericks’ 132-115 pre-season win.
- When
- Sunday, 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Macau, China.
- Why
- It was Irving’s return to game action after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I didn’t expect him to play this well after being off so long.
Grateful that Dusty called the first play for me.
For him to be back out there, it was great to see.
Irving tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Irving returned to game action and scored 17 points in the Mavericks’ win over the Rockets.
- Score
- Mavericks 132, Rockets 115
- Irving's points
- 17
- Irving's shooting
- Six for 13
- Playing time
- Just under 22 minutes
- Assists and rebounds
- Three assists and two rebounds
- Location
- Macau, China
Sources
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