If Mavericks fans were hoping to see Kyrie Irving back for the playoffs in 2026, they might have to keep waiting.

Irving, who already underwent successful surgery shortly after, has endured multiple significant knee injuries and procedures throughout his career, one in 2015 after fracturing his kneecap during the NBA Finals, and another in 2018 to remove screws in the same knee.

It isn't Irving's first time battling through a lengthy recovery process. Earlier in his career he fractured his kneecap while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals and he didn't return until December of the following season.