Ever since trading away Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks have suffered a lot of misfortune, and it is threatening to torpedo their season.
It was initially thought that they would be a dark horse team in the Western Conference with superstar big man Anthony Davis and promising 3-and-D wing Max Christie coming back in the Doncic deal. But Davis suffered an adductor injury in his first game with the Mavs, and they have also lost big man Daniel Gafford and star guard Kyrie Irving, among others, to additional injuries.
Dallas has a 33-36 record and is clinging to the 10th spot in the Western Conference. It desperately needs some improved health if it is to at least reach the NBA's play-in tournament next month.
The team was thinking about shutting down Davis for the rest of the season, but he is determined to return this season, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The 13-year veteran was assigned on Monday to the Texas Legends of the G League in order to participate in five-on-five scrimmages in order to get ready for a potential return.
The Mavs then recalled Davis, along with guard Jaden Hardy, from the G League.
The Mavericks recalled Anthony Davis and Jaden Hardy from the G League#MFFL
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) March 17, 2025
Davis has averaged 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 blocks a game so far this season. He put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three rejections in his first game with Dallas before getting hurt.
On paper, Dallas could be dangerous if healthy. But it won't be healthy this season, as Irving is out for the year with a torn ACL, and one has to wonder if the franchise may have cursed itself by trading away Doncic, who is just 26 years of age and one of the three to five best basketball players in the world.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM.