Anthony Davis Set to Face Former Team Lakers After Injury Return

LOS ANGELES — Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis plans to return to the court against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Friday night, sources told ESPN. Davis has been sidelined for a month due to a calf strain sustained on October 29 against the Indiana Pacers.

This matchup marks Davis’ first game against the Lakers since his trade to Dallas in February, which involved sending superstar guard Luka Dončić to Los Angeles. Davis originally aimed for a November 8 return but was held out by Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont based on medical advice.

After a practice session on Wednesday, Davis expressed confidence, stating, “You know what game I want to play,” though he added, “But we’ll see.” He is likely to play in one of the Mavericks’ weekend back-to-back games.

Despite the excitement surrounding his return, Davis acknowledged the pressure of trade discussions following the dismissal of Mavs general manager Nico Harrison. “That doesn’t affect me; I’ve been in trade talks for a while,” Davis said. “My job is to do what I do when I’m on the floor. Whatever comes out of that, comes out of that.”

The Mavericks are in a tough spot, with a 3-11 record during Davis’ absence. They currently sit near the bottom of the Western Conference with hopes for improvement as Davis averages 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds before his injury.

With Davis’s return, the Mavericks hope to revive their performance and get back on track, especially in their NBA Cup group play. The team has struggled offensively this season, ranking last in points scored per 100 possessions.