Anthony Davis returned to action Friday night after missing nearly a month with a left calf strain, scoring 12 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 129-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 10-time All-Star added five rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 28 minutes, slightly exceeding his planned minutes restriction.
Davis had been sidelined since Oct. 29 following the calf injury. The Mavericks dropped to 5-15 with the loss, extending their losing streak to seven games and keeping them near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Lakers coach JJ Redick deployed frequent double teams against his former player. Davis shot 6-of-10 from the field but did not attempt a free throw as Los Angeles sent help defenders whenever he touched the ball.
“We weren’t really trying to force anything,” Davis said. “They were kind of double-teaming every time I caught the ball. As soon as I catch it and turn around, it was two guys in my face. I was just trying to make the right play with the pass.”
The game marked Davis’ first appearance at Crypto.com Arena since the shocking Feb. 2 trade that sent him to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic. Lakers fans gave Davis loud applause during pregame introductions.
Davis will not play Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers as Dallas continues taking a cautious approach. The franchise has carefully managed his return after tensions arose over his rehabilitation timeline.
Davis said he felt ready to return weeks ago and his personal medical staff had cleared him to play against Washington. However, Dallas director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough expressed concern, prompting Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont to delay Davis’ return until medical data showed no risk of aggravating the injury.
“Any time you’re sitting down and you see these guys, especially in close games, you wish you could be out there,” Davis said. “As one of the leaders, you want to go out there.”
Injuries have limited Davis to just 15 games plus two play-in appearances since the trade. The struggles contributed to general manager Nico Harrison’s firing earlier this month. Doncic led the Lakers with 35 points and 11 assists, while Austin Reaves scored 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting.