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Is it possible that the dark skies above American Airlines Center are getting a tiny bit brighter? Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, who suffered an abductor strain in his first game after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers, is “improving” and has been cleared for “more dynamic on-court movements,” the team announced, per ClutchPoints reporter Joey Mistretta.
One cannot be too quick to revel in positive news when it comes to the 2025 Mavs, but this is quite encouraging to hear after ESPN's Shams Charania threw out the possibility of Davis being shut down for the rest of the season. In addition to this big update, second-year center Dereck Lively II is “progressing” in his recovery from an ankle fracture and, like Davis, will be evaluated weekly, via Mistretta.
Daniel Gafford, the third member of Dallas' big-man triumvirate, is “showing progress” and is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks. These three players have yet to share the court together, a cruel development that has undoubtedly compounded the vitriol that general manager Nico Harrison and the organization are receiving in the aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade.
Though, perhaps the Mavericks (32-31) can hang on long enough until they return to action. If Davis does indeed commit himself to the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign, the squad will have a decent chance to retain its NBA Play-In Tournament standing and potentially sneak into the playoffs.
Can Anthony Davis, Mavericks finish the year with some positivity?
The devastating Kyrie Irving injury news hurts their formerly impressive ceiling, but with a two-way force like Anthony Davis leading the way, coupled with the grit the Mavs have displayed amid the injury troubles and constant scrutiny, this franchise could be a difficult postseason opponent.
Those faint hopes rest on Davis' broad shoulders, however. Dallas has dropped three straight games, five of its last six overall, and is currently only two and half games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final NBA Play-in Tournament slot (10th place). If the team continues to slide, the 31-year-old and his camp might not consider it wise to risk further injury by playing again this season.
Davis is averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks while shooting 52.8 percent from the field through 43 games in 2024-25. He will cheer on the Mavericks when they host the Memphis Grizzlies (38-24) on Friday night. The team will then square off with the Suns (29-33) in a critical matchup on Sunday afternoon.
