The Mavericks took a large gamble after they traded away Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis. However as a substitute of a dominant pressure within the paint, all they’ve gotten to this point is a front-row seat to AD’s rehab journey.
Davis, coping with a left adductor pressure, has barely been on the ground since touchdown in Dallas. And now, after an encouraging five-on-five apply session with the Mavs’ G League workforce, followers had been hoping for a return quickly. However maintain up—there’s nonetheless no timeline for his comeback, and head coach Jason Kidd isn’t making any guarantees.
Comeback for Anthony Davis Hits One other Roadblock
The replace dropped forward of Friday’s 123-117 win over the Pistons, and whereas the victory stored their season alive, the lengthy checklist of accidents hanging over this workforce is beginning to really feel like a demise sentence. Davis is perhaps working his method again, however will it even matter if the remainder of the squad isn’t there to again him up?
Davis isn’t the one participant the Mavs are ready on. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Energetic II additionally hit the G League courtroom lately, taking part in three-on-three drills. However similar to with AD, there’s no clear return date for both of them. In the meantime, Kyrie Irving is finished for the season with a torn ACL, and the remainder of the roster has been a revolving door of accidents and setbacks.
Anthony Davis did 5-on-5 with the G League workforce.
Gafford and Energetic did 3-on-3 at the moment with the G League workforce.
Kidd mentioned there isn’t a timetable for his or her return.#MFFL
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) March 21, 2025
Jason Kidd’s newest feedback did little to ease considerations. “No timetable for his or her return,” he mentioned when requested about Davis, Gafford, and Energetic. Effectively, it looks like it’s all up within the air.
Is It Already Too Late for Dallas?
When the Mavs pulled the set off on the Dončić commerce, the hope was that Davis can be the centerpiece of their new period. As an alternative, he lasted simply 31 minutes in his debut earlier than heading straight to the harm report. And since then, Dallas has been in freefall. With out their largest stars, they’ve gone from Western Convention contenders to a workforce barely holding onto play-in hopes.
With just below a month left within the common season, the Mavs are teetering on the sting. They’re presently clinging to the eleventh seed within the West, however another harm and it may all come crashing down. They’re working out of time, working out of wholesome our bodies, and working out of excuses.
Even when Davis manages to return quickly, will he be sufficient to show issues round? The Mavs’ postseason hopes are on life assist, and until AD comes again trying like prime 2020 bubble Davis, this commerce may go down as one of many largest disasters in franchise historical past.
At this level, the Mavs don’t simply want AD again. They want a miracle.
