In a welcome boost for the Dallas Mavericks, NBA insider Shams Charania provided a new timeline for injured Kyrie Irving. According to reports, there’s “optimism” that All-Star guard Irving will return from his torn ACL in January and is expected to recover fully.

Irving is one of the best guards of his generation with a resume that includes a championship, nine All-Star nods, a Rookie of the Year and three All-NBA selections. He will be the leader of the team's backcourt once he does return, especially since Dončić is no longer on the roster. And that return is expected in January.

Kyrie Irving, who underwent successful surgery to repair his torn ACL on March 26, sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the Mavericks' 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings on March 3. The typical recovery time for an ACL surgery like Irving's is six to 12 months.