Mavericks barely dodge Kyrie Irving knockout punch that could've crushed his return

Dallas Mavericks fans should be careful to not put too much stock into the NBA schedule release, as the schedule typically proves to even out across the course of the season, and things like injuries and off-court issues tend to be more emblematic of how a given team's season could go. However, there are certainly small things within a schedule that fans and analysts can look toward in terms of the Mavericks potentially excelling during a certain stretch.

One thing Mavericks fans can certainly take away from this schedule release is that the back half of Dallas' schedule was structured particularly gracious by the NBA, as Dallas is already tied for the least amount of back-to-back games at 13 next season, but only plays four of those back-to-backs after the All-Star break.

This bodes particularly well for Kyrie Irving, as Irving is set to miss an indefinite amount of time next season rehabbing from a torn left ACL, and while fans should be careful on trying to pinpoint his exact return, it wouldn't be surprising if Irving returns sometimes toward the end of the season given that ACL tears typically take 9-12 months to come back from.

Lack of back-to-backs later in season bodes well for Irving's return

If Irving were to return right around after the All-Star break, which would be a realistic timeline for a typical ACL tear recovery for an NBA player, he'd only have four back-to-back games on the slate. Taking into consideration that Dallas will likely treat Irving's return-to-play plan gingerly, the lack of back-to-backs decreases the number of games that Dallas' training staff would sit out Irving for designated rest/rehab.

It's without a doubt that a large part of Dallas' success next season hinges on how quickly Irving can return and how quickly he can return to his normal self on the court, but Dallas will undoubtedly take this blessing from the schedule makers in the scenario Irving returns with at least one-third or one-fourth of the season left.

If D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Williams can hold down the fort from a shot creation and playmaking perspective from the guard spot, Dallas could be in a prime position to at least avoid the Play-In Tournament once Irving comes back, and a locked-in Irving could definitely catapult the Mavericks to even greater heights.

The Mavericks are one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA next season because of the absurd amount of narratives that have developed about them in the media after Dallas went from NBA Finals runner-ups in 2024 to trading Doncic, and then ultimately landing Flagg after lucking into the No. 1 overall pick in this past year's draft.

Irving's return-to-play is undoubtedly at the forefront of what makes the Mavericks so intriguing next season, as it is a swing factor that could be the difference in Dallas being a fringe play-in team compared to being a tried-and-true contender, so Mavericks fans should rejoice that the back half of Dallas' schedule is clear of too many back-to-back, as this is exactly what Irving and the Mavericks would've hoped for once the end of the season approaches.