As Anthony Davis continues his recovery from an adductor strain suffered in his Dallas Mavericks debut on Feb. 8, former first-round pick Zhaire Smith offered a glimpse into how the big man has looked behind the scenes.
Smith, who joined the Texas Legends in a midseason trade with the Cleveland Charge in February, recently had the opportunity to compete in practice runs alongside Davis, providing a unique perspective into the veteran's progress.
"Luckily, he was on my team, so I saw it from a different standpoint," Smith told RG. "I didn't want any actions with him before that! But really, just the way he gets to his spots and is unguardable. He can score from three, block shots-what can you do? He's just elite."
Davis has been ramping up activity in five-on-five settings as part of his rehab process. While the Mavericks continue to be cautious about his return, Smith emphasized the value of playing with one of the NBA's most dominant two-way players. Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain) and Kai Jones (left quad strain) also participated with the Legends before being upgraded to questionable by the Mavericks ahead of Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers.
"It was great. It's good seeing that next level because it's going to make you better," Smith said. "So it was great playing against [Anthony Davis], Kai Jones, and Hardy-I definitely got better from that run."
Smith noted that additional scrimmages involving Davis may be scheduled later this week, providing another opportunity to evaluate how the big man is trending toward full strength as he continues his recovery process.
"I think we're going to do it again sometime this week," Smith said. "When we get those opportunities, I love it and take full advantage of it-going against some of the best players in the world."
The Mavericks have not publicly communicated a firm timeline for Davis' return to the lineup, but they are evaluating him weekly as he continues to make more dynamic moves.
Smith's remarks reflect encouraging signs as Davis works his way back during the stretch run. Davis is motivated to play before the season ends despite the team's bleak outlook to contend following Kyrie Irving's season-ending torn ACL injury.
Smith, currently averaging 21.6 points per game with the Legends, made clear how electrifying Davis' talent remains undeniable even in a practice setting. Smith is intrigued to see how Davis applies what he does on the practice court to the game.
"When he's healthy, I can't wait to watch him in action and see how what he did in practice translates to the game," Smith said of Davis.
Davis, who is averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season, was ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Pacers but continues to trend in a positive direction. His status will be monitored closely as he recovers.
Related: Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis Eyes Return Amid Rehab Stop in G League
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM.