Dusty May explains Mavericks’ decision to rest Kyrie Irving in team’s home opener

Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May explained the decision to rest guard Kyrie Irving for the team's home opener against the San Antonio Spurs, citing left knee injury management. Irving had played on consecutive nights on Wednesday and Friday, scoring 24 points against the Indiana Pacers, but was ruled out shortly before Saturday's game. Without Irving and Cooper Flagg, Dallas fell 122-106 to the Spurs at American Airlines Center.

May noted the coaching and medical staff are taking Irving's workload one day at a time following his 19-month recovery from a torn left ACL suffered in March 2025. While Irving sat out the second game of the back-to-back, May indicated there is a chance the 34-year-old guard could be cleared for back-to-back games later this season.