DALLAS -- Veteran Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving says he is under no physical restrictions from the torn ACL in his left knee that sidelined him 19 months ago, an injury that he called "probably the best thing that happened to me."

"I'm ready to go out there and kick some butt," Irving, 34, said Friday during the Mavericks' preseason media day, the first time that he has addressed reporters since the March 3, 2025, injury. "I know that naysayers or some of the questions around where I'm going to be are going to be inevitable. But for me, I have the confidence of a champion."

New team president Masai Ujiri said in terms of health that Irving is "right there." Irving said the time away gave him time for reflection on where he wants to be as a player and as a man, and he is looking forward to playing alongside Cooper Flagg, last season's unanimous Rookie of the Year.

Irving and the Mavericks will play for a revamped franchise after last season's 26-56 lottery finish. Ujiri hired Dusty May as coach to replace Jason Kidd. The Mavericks begin preseason with two games against the Houston Rockets in Macao, China, on Oct. 9 and 11.