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Kyrie Irving Returns: NBA Preseason Storylines Dominating the 2026-27 Season Buzz
Kyrie Irving is back. After 587 days away from a basketball court — nearly 20 months of rehabilitation following a torn ACL in his left knee — the nine-time All-Star guard returned to game action on Sunday night and looked every bit as brilliant as he did before the injury. Irving's return for the Dallas Mavericks in Macao, China was one of the most emotionally charged moments of the entire 2026-27 NBA preseason, and it was just one of several major storylines that dominated the weekend.
From Golden State locking in one of their best young players with a massive extension to Sacramento dealing with a significant preseason injury scare, the NBA world had plenty to talk about as teams ramp up for the regular season. Here is everything you need to know.
Kyrie Irving Returns: 587 Days Later, He Still Has It
On the opening possession of Dallas's second NBA China Games matchup against the Houston Rockets, the Mavericks called a play specifically for Kyrie Irving. With the full weight of nearly two years of anticipation on his shoulders, Irving did not hesitate. He caught the ball on the right wing, drove toward the baseline, and laid the ball in with a smooth reverse layup. The Mavericks' bench erupted. So did the crowd in Macao.
"I was imagining how it was going to go, dreaming about how it was going to go and just glad that I got that out the way," Irving told reporters after Dallas's 132-115 win. "Just incredibly grateful for my teammates as well and their support and just seeing them rise up off the bench to celebrate me as well, that always feels good. And God is truly the greatest. So just being able to perform at a high level, that felt amazing."
Irving finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, adding three assists and two rebounds in just under 22 minutes of action. He played eight minutes in the first quarter, a little more than eight in the second quarter, and returned for the first 5.5 minutes of the third quarter before Dallas coach Dusty May wisely took him out for the remainder of the night.
What Irving's Return Means for the Mavericks
Before his injury in March 2025, Irving was averaging a scorching 24.7 points per game for Dallas. The Mavericks made the NBA Finals in 2024 — Irving was a central piece of that run — but they missed the postseason in each of the two seasons that followed. Now, with Irving healthy and a roster that has added new pieces around him, Dallas enters the 2026-27 season with legitimate playoff aspirations again.
Rookie of the year Cooper Flagg was also impressive in the China win, finishing with 14 points and seven assists. The Mavericks also received contributions from Quentin Risacher (16 points, 7-of-13 shooting), Naji Marshall (14 points, three steals), and Max Christie (14 points). The team shot 48.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range.
Mavericks coach Dusty May summed it up perfectly: "His physical condition, his mental condition, and then — I've said it from the first time I watched him in a workout — he's an artist. He's a jazz musician. I didn't expect him to play this well after being off so long." Dallas and Houston will open the regular season against each other on October 21 at Toyota Center.
Golden State Warriors Lock In Brandin Podziemski With $110M Extension
While the basketball world was focused on Irving's return, the Golden State Warriors made a major business move on Saturday. The Warriors agreed to a five-year, $110 million rookie-scale contract extension with guard Brandin Podziemski, securing one of their most promising young players through the 2031-32 season. The final year of the deal includes a mutual option, giving both sides flexibility.
The 23-year-old Podziemski was one of the most durable players in the entire NBA last season — he was the only Warriors player and one of only 18 players league-wide to appear in all 82 games. He posted career highs of 13.8 points and 45.5 percent shooting from the field, while also contributing 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game across 28.5 minutes of action.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was openly enthusiastic: "I'm thrilled for Brandin and his family, really happy for us. We think Brandin is a hell of a young player, a big part of our future, and he secures his future financially. It's a good relief to get it done and go into the season where he can just focus on basketball."
Warriors Investing in a Post-Curry Future
The Podziemski extension comes on the heels of the Warriors also extending franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry in September, and re-signing veterans Draymond Green, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II earlier in the offseason. Golden State is clearly building a roster that can compete in the short term with Curry while simultaneously developing the young pieces who will carry the franchise forward.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy added: "Brandin has continued to improve and expand his game since he entered the league as a mid-first round pick, and we think his upward trajectory will only continue. He's a durable, skilled, two-way player that makes our team better each time he takes the court." For a franchise synonymous with championships, locking up their next core piece is a strong signal of intent.
Sacramento Kings: Raynaud Suffers Patellar Subluxation, Out Two Weeks
The Sacramento Kings received a significant injury scare Saturday night when second-year center Maxime Raynaud was taken off the court in a wheelchair after going down in the second quarter of a 111-106 preseason loss to Golden State at Chase Center. Raynaud collided with Stephen Curry while setting a screen and immediately grabbed at his right knee in pain.
Subsequent imaging provided relief: the Kings announced Sunday that Raynaud suffered a right patellar subluxation — a partial dislocation of the kneecap — and not a more serious ligament tear. Raynaud will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, leaving open the possibility of a return around Opening Night.
The 7-foot-1 Frenchman had an outstanding rookie season, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 74 games after being selected 42nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Kings GM Scott Perry was cautiously optimistic: "He'll be back." Kings coach Doug Christie was visibly emotional, telling Raynaud on the court: "I love you, man. We're here for you. We got you."
What NBA Fans Should Watch as the 2026-27 Regular Season Approaches
With the preseason winding down and the regular season set to begin, here are the key storylines to monitor:
Kyrie Irving's minutes load: Dusty May will carefully manage Irving's playing time heading into the October 21 opener vs. Houston. Expect gradual increases as Dallas monitors his knee health.
Maxime Raynaud's recovery timeline: Sacramento's two-week reevaluation window is critical. If Raynaud clears in time, he could suit up for Opening Night. If not, the Kings will need interior depth options.
Golden State's final preseason tune-up: With the Podziemski extension done, the Warriors can fully focus on basketball. Watch how Curry, Podziemski, Horford, and Porzingis gel together.
Houston Rockets' final preseason game: The Rockets host OKC on Thursday at Toyota Center. Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun are expected to make their preseason appearances after sitting out the China Games.
NBA tech experiments: The league is testing smart basketballs and official wrist wearables in selected preseason games, signaling the sport's continued push toward advanced player tracking and analytics.
The NBA is back, and the 2026-27 season is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. Kyrie Irving's return alone is one of the best stories in the sport right now — but add in a Warriors franchise investing in its future, a Kings team navigating early adversity, and a league brimming with elite talent, and fans have every reason to be locked in from the opening tip. Stay with Remix Sports Media for all the latest NBA coverage as the regular season inches closer.
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