Michael Porter Jr. just dropped a bomb, straight up telling us how absolutely *bonkers* Kyrie Irving is looking on the court. This isn’t just some casual observation, either. Porter Jr. was actually *hooping* with Irving recently, and what he saw after Kyrie missed the entire 2025-26 season has him totally floored. Dallas fans, you need to hear this.
The Comeback Trail: From Injury to Insane Recovery
Let’s rewind a bit to the nightmare that was March 3, 2025. Kyrie Irving, one of the most electric players in the league, went down during a Mavericks game against the Sacramento Kings. He stepped on Jonas Valančiūnas’ foot while driving to the basket, hyperextending his knee, and just like that, a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. Reconstruction surgery followed on March 26, 2025, ending his 2024-25 season prematurely. Then came the brutal blow: he missed the *entire* 2025-26 campaign. That dude was completely sidelined, a massive hole in their lineup, and the Mavericks felt that absence hard all year. But now, ahead of the next season, it’s clear he’s made insane progress in his offseason recovery.
Porter Jr. Is Stunned, and So Should You Be
Brooklyn Nets player Michael Porter Jr. recently got to practice with Irving, and what he witnessed sounds like something out of a highlight reel. Speaking on the *Curious Mike* podcast, Porter Jr. couldn’t hold back: “I was hooping with him yesterday and this is off of his ACL. That dude was so cold, bro. I couldn’t believe how he was moving out there. And he was getting to the lane, there’s all footers in there and he somehow was with the left. Bro, it was nutty. It was crazy.” Think about that for a second. An ACL tear is no joke, yet another NBA star is calling his post-surgery game “nutty” and “cold.” Irving himself confirmed back in May 2026 during a Twitch live stream that he’s almost 100 percent. He said he’s “grateful I’ve had some time to heal and experiment with my body on the court and off the court, in the weight room.” That’s the kind of dedication that builds champions.
The Buzz is Real: Everyone’s Noticing
It’s not just Porter Jr. seeing this unreal comeback. ESPN’s Shams Charania also gave a seriously positive update on Irving’s potential return. Appearing on “The Stephen A. Smith Show”, Charania spilled the tea, saying his “understanding is Kyrie Irving’s rehab has gone amazing.” He even revealed that there was a sense during last season that if the Mavericks were playing at a competitive level, Kyrie “could have potentially come back in December or January.” Talk about an early return! But, given how that season was going, rushing him back just didn’t make sense. Now, with the new season on the horizon, it’s looking more and more like Irving will be back on the court for the Mavericks right from the start.
The Mavericks have put their trust in him, expecting nothing less than his best performance. All signs point to Kyrie being an absolutely critical piece for them next season. The league better be ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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