The Dallas Mavericks (34-37) will get a much-needed boost against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, as star center Anthony Davis (adductor) will play for the first time since Feb. 8.
The Mavericks acquired the 10-time All-Star along with Max Christie for Luka Doncic just before the trade deadline. However, he got injured against the Houston Rockets in his first game with the team, leaving the contest after notching 26 points (10-18 FG, 2-2 3 PT) with 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
While Dallas is 2-8 over its last 10 games, it's still tied with the Phoenix Suns (34-37) for the 10th and final Play-In spot in the Western Conference.
Head coach Jason Kidd sounded off about Davis' return before Monday's game, via ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
"We'd like to have a healthy, positive experience [with Davis' return]," he said. He also said that Davis would be on a minute restriction.
Jason Kidd says "we'd like to have a healthy, positive experience" with Anthony Davis returning tonight. He adds Davis will be on a minutes restriction.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 24, 2025
The 32-year-old is returning at the right time for the Mavericks, as they've been without star guard Kyrie Irving for three weeks. The former NBA champion tore his ACL against the Sacramento Kings on March 3.
Davis is now on his third NBA team. The Kentucky alum got drafted No. 1 overall by the New Orleans Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans) in 2012 and stayed with them for seven seasons before getting traded to the Lakers in July 2019. He then won the 2020 NBA Finals with them alongside LeBron James.
Davis is averaging 25.7 points on 52.8 percent shooting with 12 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season.
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This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM.