Kyrie Irving says he has ‘confidence of a champion’ in return to Mavericks

Kyrie Irving says his knee is ready. His confidence apparently never left.

The Mavericks guard said he has no physical restrictions following the torn left ACL that has kept him out since March 2025. Now comes the part he has been waiting for — as in, playing basketball again.

“I’m ready to go out there and kick some butt,” Irving told reporters at media day Friday, via the Associated Press. “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.”

Irving, 34, missed all of last season. He returns to a team with a new president in Masai Ujiri, a new coach in Dusty May and a young centerpiece in Cooper Flagg. But first, Irving has something to show.

“This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of league, and everybody wants to see it up close,” he said. “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.”

Interestingly, Irving called the injury “probably the best thing that happened to me,” explaining that the time away prompted him to consider who he wants to be beyond basketball.

“How can people look to me to be a better leader, a better communicator, be more emotional, vulnerable,” he said. “And also taking the approach of acting like my age finally. Being 34 years old, I’m going on Year 16.”

The Mavericks could certainly use his experience after a 26-56 season. They will also get their first opportunity to pair Irving with Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to grow with him,” Irving said. “High-level basketball players, no matter the age — you put us out there, we’re going to win some ballgames.”

May, meanwhile, offered a pretty straightforward explanation of how he intends to coach the nine-time All-Star.

“Kyrie has seen and done as much as just about anyone in the association,” May said. “I would expect that I’m only going to coach him when I’m able to add value.”