Kyrie Irving injury update: How serious is it? Will he play in the Mavs season opener?

Led by Luka Dončić, named the 2019 Rookie of the Year, the Mavericks returned to the playoffs in 2020 and even reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022, marking their first appearance since their championship in 2011. However, they could not make it to the playoffs in 2023 and were even accused of intentionally losing some of their last games after it became clear that they would not qualify.

Kyrie Irving’s transfer to the team in February 2023 generated much excitement during the same period. Still, despite his impressive individual performance with an average of 27.1 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds in 20 games for the Mavs, the team’s overall performance was disappointing, with a negative winning record of 8-12.

With the summer break providing an opportunity for rest and recovery, the Mavericks are again focused on becoming legitimate contenders for the Western Conference title. However, injuries have persisted into the preseason, first with Luka and his thigh injury at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and now with concerns surrounding Irving’s health.

After playing in the first of the two, Irving was absent from the team’s second preseason game against the Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi, and it appears that he will also miss the upcoming game against Real Madrid in Spain on Tuesday due to left groin soreness, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Irving’s status for the start of the regular season is not a concern for the Dallas Mavericks organization. The team is cautious about any further injury to their star guard, especially since this was a preseason exhibition game overseas. Irving must be at his best if they want to rise again in the Western Division. Until it’s officially confirmed, it seems that Kyrie will be fit and ready for the NBA season opener.