Irving expected in one Macao game as Mavericks begin May’s preseason

Kyrie Irving is expected to play in one of Dallas’ two preseason games against Houston in Macao, but coach Dusty May said Thursday that the Mavericks had not yet decided which game would mark his return.

Dallas and Houston meet Friday, October 9, and Sunday, October 11, at The Venetian Arena. The NBA’s current schedule lists Friday’s game at 8 a.m. Eastern and Sunday’s at 6 a.m. Eastern, with both available on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.

The trip gives Dallas its first exhibition work under May and offers Irving his first game opportunity since tearing his left ACL on March 3, 2025. He missed the entire 2025-26 season.

Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal reported May’s comments after Thursday’s practice. The coach said Dallas would use a limited roster and was assessing how Irving’s body felt after the flight and jet lag. Lineup combinations were still being worked out.

That leaves an important distinction for anyone setting an alarm for Friday: Irving’s return is expected during the two-game visit, while his participation in the opener remained undecided in May’s latest comments.

Houston has a comparable return to manage. The NBA’s Thursday preview said Fred VanVleet, who tore his right ACL in September 2025 and also missed last season, is expected to appear in one of the two games, according to Rockets coach Ime Udoka.

The Mavericks’ preparation also begins a new combination around Cooper Flagg. The reigning Rookie of the Year enters his second season while May takes his first NBA coaching job after leading Michigan to the NCAA championship. Their first game work together comes against a Houston group featuring Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.

May has described the exhibitions as an opportunity to find Dallas’ offensive and defensive gaps. The immediate value is seeing those combinations against another team while controlling workloads for returning players.

Irving has practiced since training camp opened, according to Afseth’s reporting, but Thursday’s update did not name a minute limit or announce the rest of Friday’s available roster. Dallas’ visit provides two chances to bring him back; the final choice remains with the team as it assesses his response to the trip.