Returning from injury is never an easy thing to do. Kyrie Irving hadn't played an NBA basketball game in 586 days because of a torn ACL. Upon his return to action in the Dallas Mavericks second preseason game of the year, Irving proved he is still one of the best players in the NBA.

The all-time great point guard had 17 points in 22 minutes against the Houston Rockets. That included the very first score of the game for Dallas. Dusty May drew up a play for Irving to kick things off, having Cooper Flagg swing a pass to Irving, who then drove to the hoop and scored a reverse layup.

“A lot of emotions leading into it,” Irving said. “Grateful that Dusty called the first play for me. Had my mind made up just to attack… I saw the baseline open up a little bit, and it just felt good to get that out of the way.”

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Returning from injury is about much more than just getting one's body right. Overcoming mental blocks can be an even greater battle. By immediately deciding to do what he is best at, getting to the rim, and finding success in doing so, Irving reminded not just the basketball community, but even himself, just what he is capable of doing.

Irving has an attack mindset, both in terms of how he plays the game of basketball, but also in how he prepares. It should be no surprise that he attacked his injury rehab the same way.