The Dallas Mavericks are 2-4 to start the season, grappling with backcourt issues in Kyrie Irving's absence due to an ACL injury. Coach Jason Kidd hinted at a possible return for Irving before 2025 ends, while rookie Cooper Flagg has been thrust into the point guard role with mixed results. A recent loss to the Pistons in Mexico City highlighted the team's offensive woes.
The Dallas Mavericks have started the 2025-26 NBA season with a 2-4 record, underscoring their reliance on Kyrie Irving amid his recovery from a torn ACL in his left knee. Irving suffered the injury on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings and underwent surgery on March 26, marking over seven months since the procedure. Without him, the team lacks shot creators in the backcourt, especially after Anthony Davis sustained a left calf strain last week.
In a recent game against the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, the Mavericks suffered a fourth-quarter collapse, as described by coach Jason Kidd. This loss prompted Kidd to express optimism about Irving's timeline. "We just can't wait to get Kai back, at some point," Kidd said. "Hopefully it's in the year '25, not '26. We'll see what happens, but I think [Irving and Flagg] will be a perfect match in the backcourt."
Rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who won't turn 19 until December, has been experimented with at point guard due to the thin roster. Averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.8 turnovers in 32.5 minutes per game, Flagg's shooting has been inconsistent at 37.3% from the floor and 28.6% from three on 3.5 attempts. Against the Pistons, he scored 16 points on 3-for-14 shooting, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished 4 assists with 1 turnover, made 2 threes, and went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Flagg acknowledged the challenges post-game: "It's a tough league. It's a transition. I haven't made a lot of shots or been as efficient as I would've wanted to, but I'm gonna keep trusting the work. It's nothing I think they should be worried about. I'm not worried about anything."
The Mavericks rank 28th in effective field-goal percentage, last in assist-to-turnover ratio, and last in offensive rating through six games. Kidd views Flagg's role as preparation for playoff pressure: "There's a couple of things behind [Flagg] playing [point guard]. One is our health…The other part of handling the ball is being able to handle the pressure when April comes around and you're playing for something greater." Despite the early hurdles in the competitive Western Conference, the team hopes Irving's return will stabilize their offense.