There’s increasing optimism that Mavericks big man Anthony Davis will have a chance to return to action during the team’s upcoming four-game road trip, reports NBA insider Marc Stein (Substack link).
Davis, who has been sidelined by an adductor strain since his Mavs debut on February 8, practiced with the Texas Legends in the G League multiple times this week and got through those sessions without experiencing any setbacks. As Stein relays, head coach Jason Kidd said last night that it was a “positive day” on Friday for Davis and fellow injured big men Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, who also practiced with the Legends.
While Kidd said there’s “no timetable” for any of them to return, he expressed hope about having all three centers back this season, and Stein suggests Davis is the furthest along of the three in his recovery process. He has advanced to 5-on-5 play, while Lively and Gafford have reportedly only done 3-on-3 work.
The Mavericks’ four-game Eastern Conference swing will begin on Monday in Brooklyn and also includes stops in New York (Tuesday), Orlando (Thursday), and Chicago (next Saturday). Stein, who previously reported that Davis is “very eager” to resume playing, suggests it’s possible we could see him in one or more of those games.
There had been speculation following Davis’ adductor injury that the Mavericks may simply shut him down for the rest of the season and focus on 2025/26, especially after Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL. However, there was never any indication from Dallas that the team was seriously considering that route, especially with a postseason berth still within reach.
Although they sit at No. 11 in the Western Conference right now, the Mavericks are tied with the No. 10 Suns at 34-37 and are just two games back of the No. 9 Kings (35-34). Even without Irving, an otherwise healthy version of this Mavs team could cause problems for opponents in the postseason, and making or missing the play-in tournament is unlikely to significantly impact their draft position.
What I want to see in the playoffs
7th seed Clippers (add healthy Paul George)
8th seed fully healthy Mavs
Clippers team
Kawhi
Harden
George
Ben Simmons
Powell – star level
Zubac – star level
Which team is better?
96 Bulls or 25 Clippers
Why bring back AD now? If the Mavs still have a pick this year, keep losing. I still don’t understand the trade, and it’s a good thing I’m not a Mavs fan.
Sillivan with another completely comprehensible home run of a post.
It kind of bothers me in a way that I know exactly what Sillivan is trying to convey.
Sillivan is algorithm personified.
Lol fr. Sillavanese is an exquisite language
Sullivan is the only one here who I’m certain is human. No way could a computer come up with that
These players are known to be healthy, after all.
What’s the point in bringing AD back? to be a play in team likely to be out by the 1st round? there’s 11 game out and like 7 behind the team in front of them. why not tank the rest of the year and take a long shot for Flagg or a top 4 pick?
Mavs biggest issue now is Kyrie imo. Because of that. I would play for next year. Shut AD down and go for top 10 pick. They did it for Lively to screw Knicks. With a Healthy team. A top ten pick this year could be a HR. Kasparas Jakucionis
Pretty sure the Mavericks of all teams need to stop being too cute. Cue Herm Edwards