Basketball fans, players, and coaches did not have the pleasure of watching Kyrie Irving play basketball for 586 days. The all-time great point guard tore his ACL on March 3, 2025, forcing him out of action for all of last season. His return to the hardwood finally came on Oct. 10, 2026, in a Dallas Mavericks preseason game against the Houston Rockets.

Irving, who is one of the best ball handlers and below-the-rim finishers ever, was back to performing like his usual self, and people in the basketball world were quickly reminded how special he is. One basketball mind who was impressed by Irving's return was Ime Udoka, who was on the wrong end of the 132-115 Mavericks victory.

“He looked back to his normal self,” Udoka said… “He looks like he has his bounce, same things I saw every day in practice and games in Brooklyn. So, he'll only get better as he gets his rhythm back in real NBA games.”

“He looked back to his normal self.” 👏

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka talked about Kyrie Irving's return after Game 2 of the NBA China Games 2026! https://t.co/DjBIkVaGlB

— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 11, 2026

Irving's own coach, Dusty May, was perhaps even more impressed.

“It's just impressive, his physical condition [and] his mental condition,” May said. “I said it from the first time I watched him in a workout; he's an artist, he's a jazz musician. Just to see the way he sees the game and manipulates the game, and even there were a couple of shots that look great that were just off by a centimeter that obviously they're going to drop once he gets into game rhythm, but I didn't expect him to play this well after being off so long.”

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Irving had 17 points and three assists in 22 minutes of action. The Mavericks were patient in his recovery, and it has seemingly paid off, as the team now has one of the best players in the NBA to pair with fellow former number one pick Cooper Flagg.