Irving got a reverse layup on the game’s opening possession Sunday night, setting the tone for him scoring a team-high 17 points in the Mavericks’ 132-115 preseason win over the Houston Rockets in Macao, China.
Well folks, the wait is finally over! After what felt like an eternity—specifically, nearly 600 days—Kyrie Irving has made his long-awaited return to the NBA. And where did he choose to make this triumphant comeback? None other than China, because why not add a little international flair to the mix? I mean, what’s more dramatic than playing basketball in front of thousands of fans who might just have a clue who you are?
In a preseason game that had fans buzzing and critics sharpening their pens, Kyrie wasted no time making his presence known. He kicked off the game with a reverse layup on the very first possession. Talk about setting the tone! It was like he was saying, “Hey world, I’m back!” while simultaneously flipping gravity the bird. With that one move, he reminded everyone why he’s Kyrie Irving and not just some guy who plays basketball on the weekends.
Throughout the game, he went on to score a team-high 17 points in the Mavericks’ 132-115 victory. That’s a solid performance, especially considering he’s been off the court for so long that some might have thought he was auditioning for a role in a basketball-themed soap opera. Seriously, who knew knee injuries could turn into such dramatic cliffhangers?
For those who might have missed the memo, Kyrie’s absence was due to a knee injury he suffered back in 2025. And while some players might have taken the time to perfect their TikTok dances during their recovery, Kyrie was presumably working hard on his return. Or perhaps he was just binge-watching every basketball game from his couch, which, let’s be honest, is a skill in itself.
The Mavericks, who are clearly thrilled to have him back, now have a glimmer of hope for the upcoming season. With Kyrie on board, it’s like adding a turbocharger to a car that already has a decent engine. Sure, the car was fine before, but now it’s ready to zoom past the competition. Just imagine the possibilities: fancy layups, three-pointers, and maybe even some no-look passes that will have fans leaping from their seats in pure joy.
As the NBA season approaches, the buzz around Kyrie’s return is palpable. Fans and analysts are speculating on what this all means for the Mavericks. Will they be contenders? Will they finally win the championship? Or will it all just end in a dramatic flop, like that one friend who always promises to bring dessert but shows up with a store-bought cake that looks like it was made by a toddler? Only time will tell.
So here’s to you, Kyrie Irving! Welcome back to the hardwood. May your knees stay strong, your shots be true, and your layups forever be reverse. The NBA missed you, and let’s face it, we all did too—even if we tried to pretend we were too cool to care. Now, let’s see if you can keep the momentum going, because if anyone can dazzle us with their skills, it’s definitely you. Don’t let us down!
Inspired by: “Kyrie makes long-awaited return, dazzles in China” (r/Sport)