Anthony Davis is stepping back onto the court at Crypto.com Arena on Friday, but it will feel more like stepping into a storm. The Dallas forward is set to face the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since his blockbuster February trade, and the timing creates a perfect mix of anticipation and tension.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Davis will finally return after missing a month with a calf strain, a layoff that only magnified the drama surrounding his status in Dallas.
His time with the Mavericks has already been loaded with complications. Davis started the season strong but went down with an injury on October 29, which kicked off a month of internal disagreements.
Owner Patrick Dumont reportedly pushed back on plans from formerGeneral Manager Nico Harrison about accelerating Davis’ recovery, and the controversy became yet another layer in a season full of noise. With Dallas still adjusting to the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, every development around Davis has carried extra weight.
When Charania’s update dropped on social media, fans reacted instantly. X lit up with posts predicting either a heroic comeback or another quick exit. Users joked, complained and worried that Davis might be rushing back just to play his former team. The theme across fan reactions was clear: excitement mixed with deep concern.
AD’s return arrives at a crucial moment for Dallas
From Friday forward, the Mavericks desperately need stability. Davis will sit out Saturday against the Clippers and return again Monday vs. Denver, according to Charania. The schedule gives him limited ramp-up time, and Dallas needs impact immediately. The team has gone 3-11 in his absence and has slipped noticeably in defensive metrics, a decline documented by ESPN Stats & Info.
Davis’ numbers from his first five games in Dallas remain promising. He is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. His interior defense has been the missing piece during the Mavericks’ recent skid, and the hope is that his presence will bring balance back to both ends of the floor.
Yet the noise around his long-term future has only grown louder. With former GM Nico Harrison out and external teams monitoring the situation, reports from outlets like The Athletic have already linked Davis to potential moves if things deteriorate.
Now he returns to the city that once celebrated him, wearing a different jersey and carrying the hopes of a struggling Dallas roster. The question lingering over Friday’s tipoff is simple: does Anthony Davis’ comeback mark a new beginning for the Mavericks, or the start of another turbulent chapter?
Read the full article here
