What Happened to Kyrie Irving?
Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player known for his exceptional ball-handling and scoring ability, currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks. His career has been marked by an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, multiple All-Star selections, and several high-profile controversies, including his stance on COVID-19 vaccines and a social media post deemed antisemitic. As of May 2026, Irving is recovering from an ACL injury sustained in March 2025 and is expected to return to play for the Mavericks in the 2026-2027 season.
Quick Answer
Kyrie Irving is a nine-time NBA All-Star and 2016 NBA champion who currently plays point guard for the Dallas Mavericks. He is known for his dynamic offensive skills but also for various off-court controversies. As of May 20, 2026, Irving is sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season due to an ACL injury suffered in March 2025 and is rehabilitating with an expected return for the 2026-2027 season. He signed a three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Mavericks in June 2025.
πKey Facts
π Complete Timeline12 events
Drafted First Overall by Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving was selected as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Named NBA Rookie of the Year
Irving earned the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, showcasing his potential as a future star.
Wins NBA Championship with Cavaliers
Irving hit a crucial three-pointer in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers win their first-ever NBA championship against the Golden State Warriors.
Traded to Boston Celtics
After requesting a trade, Irving was sent to the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster deal.
Signs with Brooklyn Nets
Irving joined the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent, teaming up with Kevin Durant.
Misses Games Due to Vaccine Mandate
Irving's refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 led to him missing the majority of the Brooklyn Nets' home games due to New York City's mandate.
Suspended by Nets for Antisemitic Post
The Brooklyn Nets suspended Irving for at least five games after he posted a link to an antisemitic film on social media and initially refused to apologize. Nike also terminated its sponsorship.
Traded to Dallas Mavericks
Irving was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks, forming a new star duo with Luka DonΔiΔ.
Leads Mavericks to NBA Finals
Irving played a key role in leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals.
Suffers Torn ACL
Irving sustained a torn left ACL, which ended his 2024-2025 season prematurely and required surgery.
Agrees to Mavericks Contract Extension
Irving opted out of his player option and agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, with a player option for the 2027-2028 season.
Ruled Out for Remainder of 2025-2026 Season
The Dallas Mavericks announced that Kyrie Irving would miss the rest of the 2025-2026 season to continue his recovery from ACL surgery, with an expected return in 2026-2027.
πDeep Dive Analysis
Kyrie Irving, born March 23, 1992, in Melbourne, Australia, has established himself as one of the most talented and polarizing figures in the NBA since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011. His early career with the Cavaliers saw him develop into an All-Star, culminating in an NBA championship in 2016 alongside LeBron James, where he hit a pivotal three-pointer in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Following his championship success, Irving requested a trade from Cleveland in 2017, seeking a larger role, and was subsequently moved to the Boston Celtics. His tenure in Boston was marked by injuries and unfulfilled expectations, leading him to sign with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent in 2019, forming a highly anticipated partnership with Kevin Durant and later James Harden. This 'Big 3' era in Brooklyn was plagued by injuries, team chemistry issues, and significant off-court controversies involving Irving.
Irving's controversies gained widespread attention, beginning with his public endorsement of the 'Flat Earth' theory in 2017, which he later recanted. More significantly, his refusal to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate during the 2021-2022 season led to him missing a substantial number of games for the Nets, impacting the team's performance. In October 2022, he faced widespread criticism and a team suspension after posting a link to an antisemitic film on social media, which also led to Nike terminating his endorsement deal.
In February 2023, after a tumultuous period with the Nets, Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, joining Luka DonΔiΔ to form another star-studded backcourt. He helped lead the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, showcasing his elite offensive capabilities. In June 2025, Irving opted out of his player option and agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Mavericks, signaling his commitment to the franchise.
However, his 2024-2025 season was cut short in March 2025 due to a torn left ACL, requiring surgery. As of May 20, 2026, Kyrie Irving is continuing his rehabilitation from the ACL surgery and has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-2026 NBA season. The Mavericks have stated he is making steady progress and is expected to return to the court for the 2026-2027 season, with optimism about his full recovery and ability to contribute to the team's future success alongside Cooper Flagg, who the Mavs drafted in 2025.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kyrie Irving made different choices?