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.

Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks' biggest star and one of the team's emotional leaders, suffered an ACL injury in the third quarter of their March 3 game against the Sacramento Kings. It was an event that drastically lowered Dallas' ceiling and only further compounded the issues already faced by the embattled franchise after their shocking decision to deal Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyrie Irving could be back earlier than expected, which is some much-needed good news for a down on their luck Mavericks franchise.