Irving set to return Sunday in China after ACL, calf setbacks

Kyrie Irving will play Sunday in China, his first game since tearing his left ACL in March 2025, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal. Irving said a Grade 2 calf strain suffered in December further delayed his comeback, though he has practiced without issue since training camp opened.

Elsewhere in the Southwest, Spurs two-way forward David Jones Garcia played his first game in nine months Thursday after recovering from a broken ankle, and Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. is detailed in a season preview after a career-best year.

Cooper Flagg David Jones García Jabari Smith Jr.Kyrie Irving

Related updates

Bleacher Report ↗· 9 Oct 2026

Trade rumor · DAL / DET

★ MarqueeDeveloping

Pistons staffers said to like Kyrie Irving as Cunningham fit

ESPN's Vincent Goodwill reports multiple Pistons staffers are fond of Kyrie Irving's shot creation and malleability alongside star teammates. Irving is entering a possible contract year in Dallas after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.

Bleacher Report ↗· 2 Oct 2026

Trade rumor · SAS / MIL / DAL

★ MarqueeDeveloping

De'Aaron Fox to Houston, Myles Turner to Clippers among trade pitches

A trade idea would send De'Aaron Fox to Houston for Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr., clearing room for Dylan Harper in San Antonio. Another proposal has Myles Turner moving from Milwaukee to the Clippers to open a starting center job for Kel'el Ware.

The Athletic ↗· 26 Sept 2026

Trade rumor · DAL

★ MarqueeDeveloping

Mavericks turned down trade offers for Kyrie Irving over summer

Dallas rejected trade offers for Kyrie Irving during the offseason, according to The Athletic. The front office reportedly views Irving as a strong on-court fit alongside Cooper Flagg as the rebuild continues. Irving himself has expressed a desire to help develop Flagg.