The realities could not be more distinct between the Lakers and the Mavericks in the first full season since the high-profile trade in February. That deal was essentially a swap of two All-Stars: Anthony Davis, who has an extensive injury history, for Luka Doncic, who at 26 is entering his prime.
Fast forward to this season, and the Lakers (13-4) are second in the Western Conference, riding a five-game winning streak, with Doncic leading the league in points per game (35.2). Meanwhile, the Mavericks (5-14) are second-to-last in the conference, compounded by the fact that Anthony Davis has missed the last 14 games with a calf injury. However, Davis is potentially set for a return this Friday-a significant Thanksgiving gift for Dallas fans
Davis Aims to Prove Trade Was Not a Loss
If available, this Friday would mark Anthony Davis’s first game in Los Angeles against the Lakers since the blockbuster trade. Davis is clearly motivated to show that the Mavericks did not lose the trade, though, to be honest, the difference in team performance so far has been abysmal.
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When asked prior to the game if he would prefer to return Friday against the Lakers or Saturday against the Clippers, Davis was direct: “You know what game I want to play.” He continued by noting that he will adhere to the medical staff’s decision, as the final choice is not entirely his.
Regardless of whether he plays, he plans to be there to support rookie and first-overall pick Cooper Flagg, who has been one of the few bright spots for the team, leading Dallas in both points (15.9) and minutes played in his impressive start to his NBA career.
Davis’s Return Crucial for Mavericks’ Play-In Hopes
To be frank, the Mavericks have been without their full complement of players for almost the entire season. If it isn’t Davis, it’s Dereck Lively, or Daniel Gafford, or some other rotational player missing time. However, with the imminent return of Davis, the team must improve immediately.
They need to start accumulating victories to ensure that when Kyrie Irving is expected to return (projected for January 2026), they are in a position to fight for at least a play-in tournament spot. On paper, the Mavericks possess the talent to be a competitive team, but they need their stars healthy and on the court to make up ground in the competitive Western Conference.