After undergoing hand surgery in July, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is facing some challenges in his recovery. According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Irving is “doing limited work” and remains on track to be cleared for the start of training camp in Las Vegas on October 1. Despite his progress, the eight-time All-Star has not yet been cleared for full 5-on-5 play.
Recently, Irving was spotted at a voluntary team workout, but his participation remains limited as he continues to recover.
Kyrie Irving’s 2023-24 Performance and Injury Update
Irving delivered a strong performance during the 2023-24 regular season, despite being limited to just 58 games due to injuries. He averaged 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, marking his fifth consecutive season with at least 25 points, 5 assists, and 1 steal per game. He also came close to joining the elite 50-40-90 club with shooting splits of .497 from the field, .411 from beyond the arc, and .905 from the free-throw line.
However, the playoffs proved challenging for Irving and the Mavericks. While his overall playoff performance was solid, with averages of 22.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, his shooting percentages dipped during the 2024 NBA Finals. Irving struggled, averaging 19.8 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting from the field and just 27.6 percent from three-point range. Alarmingly, he shot only 29.4 percent on “open” threes and 14.4 percent on “wide-open” threes, despite facing little defensive pressure from the Boston Celtics.
Now, Irving must not only recover from his hand injury but also bounce back from a disappointing Finals performance. With several Western Conference teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Pelicans, significantly improving their rosters this offseason, the Mavericks face a tough road ahead.
The Klay Thompson Factor
In brighter news for Dallas, Klay Thompson was also present at the team event. The four-time NBA champion and one of the league’s premier catch-and-shoot players is the Mavericks’ most notable offseason addition. Thompson’s early involvement in team activities is crucial as he begins to build on-court chemistry with his new teammates.
Having spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson will need time to adapt to the Mavericks’ system and personnel. His teammates, in turn, will need to learn his preferences for receiving the ball.
With Irving sidelined until training camp, there may still be some adjustments to be made. Additionally, it’s uncertain if Luka Doncic attended the workout, as he was scheduled to be in Slovenia for an exhibition game over the weekend. Nonetheless, Thompson’s early participation is a positive sign for Dallas as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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