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Kyrie Irving returns after 586-day absence

ESPN

Kyrie Irving returned to game action after 586 days away while recovering from a torn left ACL, scoring 17 points in 22 minutes as Dallas beat Houston 132-115 in a preseason game in Macao. The eight-time All-Star had missed all of last season. His return also marked his first game alongside rookie Cooper Flagg.

Editorial summary · Publisher article

What matters

  • Irving shot 6-of-13 and added three assists in his first appearance since March 2025.
  • Dallas eased him back by sitting him out of its preseason opener.

Context & caveats

  • This was a preseason game, so it does not establish Irving’s regular-season form or durability.
Why this made the edition

A major, completed return from a long-term ACL absence produced a notable preseason performance and is consequential for Dallas's season outlook.

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