The Dallas Mavericks dropped a bomb that shook the NBA world and the sports community as a whole to its core. On February 1st, just before the clock struck midnight, they traded superstar and five-time All-NBA first teamer Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. Mavericks’ fans could not stomach or believe the fact that the organization would give up on Doncic out of nowhere, just eight months after making the NBA Finals, but Davis’ first game in a Mavericks’ uniform gave fans a glimmer of hope until it did not in the third quarter.
Davis dominated the Houston Rockets, finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks while shooting 10-18 from the field, but his time on the floor ended abruptly after 31 minutes as he suffered a noncontact groin injury in the third quarter. Despite Davis telling the media that he was going to be fine and that his injury was not serious, he ended up getting diagnosed with an adductor strain after undergoing an MRI the following day.
Davis has been on the shelf in street clothes ever since, but things are to look up and trend in the right direction. It was reported last week that Davis was trending toward making a return to the court this season, and an unexpected update from the Mavericks confirmed that point even further.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Mavericks announced on Monday morning that Davis would be assigned to the G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, and if things go smoothly there and he does not experience a setback, he will almost certainly make a comeback this season. Dallas did the same thing with Caleb Martin earlier this month, and he made his Mavericks debut three days later.
Davis is set to get some five-on-five work in with the Legends to prepare for his return according to ESPN’s NBA reporter Tim MacMahon, and Dallas will finally get their big man back soon.
This season, Davis is averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field, and his presence should help the Mavericks climb out of the horrific losing streak they have been on over the last few weeks.
Some fans did not expect Davis to make a return this season, as they could risk him getting re-injured, but all signs are pointing to him playing in the near future.
