Anthony Davis’ return to form is taking shape at just the right time. After progressing through limited minutes early in the preseason, the Dallas Mavericks plan to ramp up his workload in Wednesday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis, who underwent surgery in July to repair a detached retina in his right eye, has been steadily rebuilding conditioning and rhythm following an extended recovery that sidelined him from basketball activities for more than a month. He has averaged 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across three preseason games — including a 25-point performance in Monday’s 114–101 win over the Utah Jazz.
“You could see his conditioning — he’s starting to ramp up more minutes,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “If he’s going to play like he did tonight, that puts us in a good seat to win a lot of games.”
Anthony Davis’ Gradual Progression
Davis’ recovery has been one of the Mavericks’ top preseason storylines. The 32-year-old suffered the eye injury in April, when teammate Daniel Gafford accidentally struck him with an elbow during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Davis later required surgery to repair the retina and was forced to completely shut down basketball activities for four to five weeks.
Medical professionals have recommended that Davis wear goggles while playing from now on.
“I’m not overly thrilled about it. I’ve been using them this summer during workouts, just trying to acclimate,” Davis said on Media Day.
The injury delayed his offseason conditioning and on-court preparation. Davis only resumed full 5-on-5 activity in late September after passing medical clearance and has worn protective goggles throughout training camp and preseason — a change he admits takes adjustment.
“You guys will see me in the Horace Grants,” Davis joked, referencing the iconic goggles worn by former Chicago Bulls forward Horace Grant. “It won’t be like that. But I will have some protective eyewear for sure.”
Impact of the Minutes Ramp-Up
In Monday’s win over Utah, Davis logged 25 minutes — his highest total of the preseason — and looked in midseason form. He shot 8-of-14 from the field, 2-of-5 from three, and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line while adding six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Kidd said the goal Wednesday is to extend that workload again as the Mavericks prepare for the Oct. 22 regular-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs.
“He’s starting to look more comfortable in those longer stretches,” Kidd said. “We want to keep building that up heading into the opener.”
Davis spent more time playing center against Utah, anchoring the paint while Dereck Lively II played limited minutes as part of a planned rotation adjustment.
The results were encouraging. Dallas dominated the glass 59–48 and outscored Utah 36–24 in the paint, with Davis’ positioning and defensive presence serving as the centerpiece.
Life With the Goggles
For Davis, the goggles — now a permanent fixture — represent both a challenge and a symbol of perseverance. Doctors have instructed him to wear protective eyewear for the remainder of his career to prevent further complications.
“This precaution is a requirement set by my medical team to ensure my eye health moving forward,” Davis said. “I was never fully against wearing goggles if that’s what was required of me, and now that it’s a necessity, I’ll be sporting a new look that could quickly become my trademark.”
His teammates have praised his resilience and adaptability throughout the recovery process.
“It shows how he carries himself, his demeanor, just how much gravity he pulls toward him while he’s on the floor,” Gafford said. “He just makes the job easier for everybody else out there.”
What’s Next
The Mavericks will practice Tuesday in Las Vegas before facing the Lakers on Wednesday, their final tune-up before the regular season begins. Kidd said Davis’ minutes will continue to rise, signaling the team’s confidence in his recovery and readiness.
Davis, meanwhile, continues adjusting to both his new eyewear and his expanded role at center — a combination the Mavericks believe will be central to their success this season.
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