After 19 Months Away, Kyrie Irving Returns To Basketball

MACAU, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of Dallas Mavericks pulls up Cooper Flagg #32 of Dallas Mavericks during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets took their Texas rivalry on the road to Asia for some preseason games, and one of the highlights was the return of Kyrie Irving.

Irving missed 586 days after blowing out the ACL in his left knee, and he’s now 34, which means that his playing days are mostly behind him.

He’s got a fair amount left in the tank, though, and watching Irving and Flagg team up with Dereck Lively, as soon as he’s good to go, will be a lot of fun.

In Irving’s return Sunday, the former Duke star scored 17 points, grabbed 2 rebounds and shelled out 3 assists. For his part, Flagg finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists.

To borrow from Casablanca, this could be the beginning of a beautiful partnership.

• Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving Speaks After Preseason Return From Injury
• Kyrie Irving on why major injuries no longer end careers: “They’re not seen the same anymore”
• Kyrie Irving Reveals Bigger Purpose Behind His Mavericks Return
• “Kyrie Irving Is Back. Spread the Word”: Fans Elated as Mavs Superstar Lights Up China In First Game Back From ACL Injury
• Kyrie Irving Refuses to Compare Cooper Flagg to Kevin Durant and LeBron James but Highlights One Key Similarity
• Kyrie Irving Opens Up About Pressure Facing Cooper Flagg
• Kyrie Irving Gets Candid About His NBA Retirement Plans And How He Wants To End His Career
• Mavs’ Kyrie Irving electrifies Macao with emotional return, glimpse at Cooper Flagg connection
• Irving Compares Rookie Flagg to LeBron James
• Cooper Flagg discusses representing Team USA in 2027 FIBA World Cup

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