The Dallas Mavericks 2024-25 season is slip-sliding away, as they are currently outside the Western Conference playoff race. But there is reportedly good news on the horizon: Anthony Davis is expected to take the floor this week for the Mavericks. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are slated to join him on the floor soon.
Quite frankly, the post- Luka Dončić era has been a total disaster for the Mavericks. It isn’t that Dallas got fleeced by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks have been devastated by injuries, having as few as eight players suited up last week.
Dallas got Kai Jones and Jaden Hardy back for Saturday’s 123-117 victory over Detroit, snapping a four-game skid. The Mavericks have dropped 11 of their last 13 games and are 8-12 since the NBA trade deadline.
Dallas Big Men Nearing Return, When Will Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Derreck Lively II Play?
Dallas lists eight players on the injury report as the Mavericks embark on a four-game road trip. Six players are marked out, with Brandon Williams (back) being considered probable. The back issue caused Williams to sit out Wednesday’s night game, though the 25-year-old guard totaled seven points on 2 of 9 shooting and five assists in 18 minutes off the bench.
More importantly, Davis has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for tonight’s game. Davis hasn’t played since February 8 due to a groin injury and has been listed out in every game. Late last night, NBA Insider Mark Stein tweeted that “Davis is officially listed as doubtful Monday at Brooklyn.”
Stein added that Tuesday at the New York Knicks or Thursday at Orlando have emerged as targets for Anthony Davis’ return to the Mavericks’ lineup.
Davis To Play Against Brooklyn
So, what has changed. Not sure much except that he has been upgraded.
“Anthony Davis has missed the past 18 games with a left adductor strain and was initially targeting Tuesday at Madison Square Garden for his return. ” Stein put out X a few hours ago. “But the comeback game could be moved up to tonight at Brooklyn with Dallas now moving Davis’ status from doubtful to questionable.”
While Davis hasn’t played a game in six weeks, he has been amping up his return. The 32-year-old forward has been strenuously working his way back a while ago. He was sent down to Frisco (TX) last week to get some 5-on-5 court time with the G-League Texas Legends.
Davis has played just once with the Mavericks and what a debut it was. Davis tallied 26 points on 18 shots and 16 rebounds (four offensive). He also doled out seven assists and blocked three shots in 31 minutes to help the Mavs defeat Houston (116-105).
At 5:01 p.m. tonight, Stein tweeted yet again. This time, Stein said that Davis would indeed play against the Nets.
ESPN’s Shams Charania collaborated with Stein’s declaration a few minutes later.
“Mavericks star Anthony Davis – out since Feb. 8 with adductor strain – will return tonight against the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted on X.
While it is excellent news for the Mavs that Davis is playing tonight, expect him to be on a minutes restriction. Also, there is a very good chance that Davis will not play against the Knicks tomorrow night.
Gafford and Lively II Out For Likely One More Week?
While the news on Davis is fantastic for Dallas, it appears Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II will remain out this week. Gafford and Lively were sent to the G-League to earn some money after their long layoffs by doing 3-on-3 work.
Gafford last played on February 10 due to a right knee sprain. The 26-year-old was expected to be out for six weeks, which would put his return date in early next week. Dallas hosts Atlanta on March 31 and April 2. Right now, the supposed target date is against Atlanta.
Gafford is having a career season. The 6-10 big man averages 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 2.6 assists while shooting nearly 70% from the field. He set a career-high with 31 points this year and scored in double-figures 34 times, topping the 20-point mark five times while posting eight double-doubles.
Lively doesn’t have a timetable to return this year despite ramping up his basketball activities. The 21-year-old has only played in 31 games this year and has not played since January 14, when he suffered an ankle injury.
Although he doesn’t officially have a timetable, ESPN projects that Lively could return early next year. Before getting injured, Lively demonstrated improved efficiency all around and produced seven double-doubles in 32 appearances—one fewer than a year ago in 20 fewer games.
Photo Credit:© Jerome Miron, Imagn Images
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