火箭希望小贾巴里·史密斯取得更大进步

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will be back on the court Sunday in China, playing for the first time since tearing his left ACL in a March 3, 2025, game, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal. Irving was hoping to return at some point last season, but he told reporters on Thursday that he suffered a Grade 2 calf strain in December that slowed his progress.

Irving has been able to practice without issue since training camp opened, while serving as a leader for his mostly youthful teammates. New head coach Dusty May said his influence has been immense.

“He’s been unbelievable in practice as far as leadership and mentoring the younger players. He’s a wealth of knowledge, and so we’re encouraging him to share as much of that with everyone as possible,” May said. “Just excited to see him back on the court again. There have been several times in practice when you’re watching him play and you realize how much gravity and leverage he provides for the other guys. And so I think that’s one area where we can make a big improvement offensively, simply having a floor general like him on the court with a young group. I think it will open up a number of things.”

Rockets star Kevin Durant, who played in Friday’s opener but will sit out Sunday’s contest, said he recently talked to Irving about his rehab process, Afseth states in a separate story.

“Just being around Kai, his work ethic is second to none,” Durant said. “His approach to the game, mentally, is second to none. He’s just a savant. When you think about basketball, you think about him. So I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the floor. I know him as a human being, though. He’s a little anxious and excited. I wouldn’t say nervous, anxious to get back out there and just get in the flow of things. So I’m excited for him, man.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg would welcome the chance to play for Team USA in the 2027 World Cup, Afseth adds in another piece. Flagg scored 17 points in the second quarter of the preseason opener on Friday, but he wasn’t used in the second half. “No, I haven’t really thought about it,” Flagg told reporters. “Obviously, I’ve played for USA before, in the under-17s and stuff like that. I’m always looking forward to being able to represent my country, and that’s something that I take a lot of pride in.”
Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. set career highs last season with 15.8 points and 1.9 assists per game, as well as a 54.1% effective field goal percentage, but the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft still hasn’t developed any of his skills to an elite level, Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle (subscriber link) states in an individual season preview.
David Jones Garcia feels “reborn” after recovering from a broken ankle he suffered in a G League game in January, relays Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). The 24-year-old small forward is in camp with the Spurs on a two-way contract and is being given a chance to compete for the final roster spot. He played his first competitive game in nine months on Thursday. “He looks healthy,” coach Mitch Johnson said. “If people didn’t know, I don’t think someone would say he looks like someone coming off an injury like that.”