Kyrie Irving Spends Quality Time With Fans After Mavericks' Summer League Win Over Lakers

Kyrie Irving attended the Dallas Mavericks' Summer League opener against the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas despite being sidelined by an ACL injury. He showed support for the team's young players, particularly rookie Cooper Flagg, and engaged with fans post-game by signing autographs and taking photos—a gesture highlighting his commitment to the franchise.

The Mavericks won the game 87-85. Irving was joined by veterans P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, and Max Christie to cheer on the squad. Flagg struggled offensively in his debut, scoring 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting (0-for-5 from three-point range) but contributed six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. Undrafted players Ryan Nembhard (21 points) and Miles Kelly (17 points) led Dallas in scoring.

Irving's injury occurred during the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings, ending his 2024-25 season and jeopardizing his availability for 2025-26. Initial team projections suggested a January 2026 return, but Irving recently dismissed that timeline during a livestream, stating, "Don’t hold your breath on that." He emphasized prioritizing full recovery over rushing back, aiming to return "150,000% better" without setting a firm date.

The nine-time All-Star's extended absence poses a significant challenge for the Mavericks, increasing pressure on Flagg to develop rapidly as a franchise cornerstone. Irving’s cautious approach reflects lessons learned from past injury comebacks.