Kyrie Irving makes immediate impact in return: ‘I was dreaming about how that would go’

Kyrie Irving waited more than 19 months for this. Then he scored on the Mavericks’ first possession.

Irving returned Sunday after missing all of last season while recovering from a torn left ACL and finished with 17 points, three assists and two rebounds in 22 minutes as Dallas beat Houston 132-115.

“A lot of emotions,” Irving said, via Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. “I’m grateful Dusty called the first play for me. I had my mind made up to attack.”

Irving converted a reverse layup over Jabari Smith Jr. to open the game.

“It felt good to get that out of the way,” Irving said. “I was dreaming about how that would go. Just being able to perform at a high level felt amazing.”

New Mavericks coach Dusty May admitted Irving exceeded his expectations.

“I didn’t expect him to play this well,” May said. “It’s a testament to his work.”

May called Irving “an artist, a jazz musician” in the way he sees and processes the game, and believes his presence will make life considerably easier for Dallas’ younger players.

That includes Cooper Flagg. Irving told Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News that he loves Flagg’s competitive nature and commitment on both ends.

“I love that he’s a two-way player,” Irving said. “I love that he cares about using his voice as he’s growing into year two.”

For Dallas, though, Sunday’s biggest development was simpler than any of that. Irving was back. And he looked like Kyrie Irving.