Kyrie Irving has no restrictions after 19-month ACL recovery - ESPN

DALLAS — Veteran Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving says he is under no physical restrictions from the torn ACL in his left knee that sidelined him 19 months ago, an injury that he called «probably the best thing that happened to me.»

«I'm ready to go out there and kick some butt,» Irving, 34, said Friday during the Mavericks' preseason media day, the first time that he has addressed reporters since the March 3, 2025, injury. «I know that naysayers or some of the questions around where I'm going to be are going to be inevitable. But for me, I have the confidence of a champion.

»… This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of league, and everybody wants to see it up close. So I'm looking forward to being able to lace up my shoes and being on the court with my teammates and show everybody what I got again. It's just like riding a bike."

New team president Masai Ujiri said in terms of health that Irving is «right there.»

«You hope he plays games and he gets right back into it,» Ujiri said.

Irving said the time away from competitive play gave him time for reflection.

«On where I want to be as a player and most importantly where do I want to be as a man,» he said. «How can people look to me to be a better leader, a better communicator, be more emotional, vulnerable. And also taking the approach of acting like my age finally. Being 34 years old, I'm going on Year 16. Been through a lot, been through a lot of ups and downs as a person. But I think me as a competitor out there, you never have to worry about me falling short of [putting] my best foot forward out there.»

Irving — and all the Mavericks — will play for a revamped franchise after last season's 26-56 lottery finish, Dallas' worst in eight years. Ujiri was hired in