On March 24, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 120-101 to retake the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and Anthony Davis made a spectacular comeback to the hardwood by showcasing his abilities. After suffering a groin injury that kept him out of action for the previous six weeks, Davis’s performance was crucial for the game and the team’s chances of making the playoffs.
Davis played in just 27 minutes, scoring 12 points and pulling down 6 rebounds in his first game since worsening an adductor ailment. He was a valuable addition in the trade that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles because of his effective shooting, which featured a 6-for-9 shooting percentage.
Anthony Davis’s return has the Mavs going strength to strength
Because of his recent injury history, coach Jason Kidd had previously stated that Davis would only be allowed to play a maximum of 28 minutes.
The Mavericks had a miserable 6-12 record while Davis was away, but his return gives them new optimism.
In light of his vacation, Davis said: “It was tough seeing these guys battling every single night,” “Losing close games. Blowing teams out. Getting blown out. They are laying it on the line. For me, it was never a thought about whether I was going to come back and play. Especially if I was healthy.”
The Mavericks got off to a fast start, leading 32–17 in the first quarter and holding the lead the entire time. Davis even had an instant impact, energizing the fans with a baseline dunk to score the first basket.
With the Phoenix Suns holding the tiebreaker, the Mavericks and the Suns are now deadlocked for the final playoff position in the West. The injuries to important players, such as Kyrie Irving, who tore his ACL on March 3 and will be sidelined for the rest of the season, add to the urgency of the situation.
