Kyrie Irving delivers a powerful message after 19 months away: "I'm ready to get out there and kick ass"

Kyrie Irving is ready to return to the court. The veteran guard of the Dallas Mavericks stated this Friday that he has no physical restrictions after the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which kept him away for 19 months.

Irving suffered the severe injury on March 3, 2025, and since then, he had not spoken publicly with the media. His return to the press came during the Mavericks' preseason Media Day, where he made it clear that he feels ready to compete again.

“I’m ready to get out there and kick some butt,” said Irving, who at 34 years old is facing a new season with the intention of showing that the injury has not changed his level.

“It was probably the best thing that happened to me”

Far from considering these 19 months as an exclusively negative period, Irving surprised by explaining that the injury has even had a positive impact on his life.

The guard described the knee ligament tear as “probably the best thing that has happened to me.” A recovery process this long forced him to spend a prolonged period away from the court, but now he assures that he carries no physical limitations.

His return will inevitably be accompanied by questions about how his body will respond after such an extensive absence. Irving is aware that doubts will be inevitable, but he believes that his confidence remains intact.

“I have the confidence of a champion”

The Dallas player also wanted to respond to those who question his fitness after 19 months without competing. Irving acknowledged that external doubts are part of the scenario he will have to face when he returns to play.

“I know that detractors or some of the questions about where I'm going to be are inevitable,” he explained. However, his response was definitive: “For me, I have the confidence of a champion.”

Irving also understands that the NBA does not allow much time to prove that a player is still the same after an injury. “This is a league of what have you done for me lately, and everyone wants to see it up close,” he noted.

That’s why the guard is eager for the moment to return to the court with his teammates and demonstrate his level once again.

The return Irving has been waiting for

The last time Irving played a game was before that injury on March 3, 2025. Since then, his recovery has marked a completely different stage in his career.

Now, after 19 months, the player assures he is ready to compete again. “I can’t wait to lace up my shoes and be on the court with my teammates and show everyone what I have again,” he stated.

Irving concluded his remarks using an expression that summarizes his confidence that basketball will flow naturally again: “It’s like riding a bike.”

The message from the Mavericks guard is clear: he doesn’t want his return to be conditioned by doubts about his knee. After a 19-month absence, Kyrie Irving assures that he is physically prepared and hopes the court will be the one to answer all the questions.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kyrie Irving lanza un mensaje contundente tras 19 meses fuera: “Estoy listo para salir ahí fuera y patear culos”