Kyrie Irving is day-to-day for rest, the same designation he carried into Friday, and he will not play in Friday's preseason game against the Rockets. The Mavericks will be without him for this preseason matchup, leaning on the rotation minutes logged by Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and others in his absence.
What happened
Kyrie Irving remains day-to-day, the same status he carried into Friday, and the injury report lists rest as the reason he won't play in Friday's preseason game against the Rockets. The listing follows a pattern this preseason: Irving was day-to-day with a left knee issue on Sep. 6, cleared, then day-to-day again on Oct. 5, cleared again, and now day-to-day for rest as of Friday morning. No further detail on the rest designation has been announced, and no expected return date has been set.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas is 0-0 with the 2026-27 season not yet underway, and the Mavericks face the Rockets again on Sunday at 6 a.m. ET, televised on NBA TV. Irving has no 2026-27 season averages yet to speak of missing. Without him on the floor this preseason, Cooper Flagg has taken on the top workload at 33.5 minutes and 21.0 points per game, with Anthony Davis next at 31.3 minutes and 20.4 points, P.J. Washington at 31.0 minutes and 14.2 points, and Naji Marshall at 29.5 minutes and 15.2 points. There is no record with or without him yet since no regular-season games have been played.
What to watch
The next injury report, expected before Sunday's game at Houston, will show whether the rest day carries over. No expected return date has been announced. Dallas and the Rockets meet again Sunday at 6 a.m. ET on NBA TV, the second meeting between the two teams in three days, and Irving's day-to-day tag will be reassessed ahead of that game.
Is Kyrie Irving playing against the Rockets?
Irving was ruled out of Friday's preseason game against the Rockets for rest. His status for Sunday's game at Houston has not been announced.
When will Kyrie Irving be back?
No return date has been announced. Irving remains listed as day-to-day.