Anthony Davis took a significant step toward returning to the Dallas Mavericks’ lineup, participating fully in practice on Wednesday for the first time in nearly a month. Head coach Jason Kidd said Davis is officially questionable for Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“First practice with the group, he did a really good job,” Kidd said after Wednesday’s session. “Hopefully we can see how he feels tomorrow, and we’ll make that decision if it’s LA (Lakers) or the Clippers.”
Davis has missed 14 straight games with a left calf strain suffered on Oct. 29 against the Indiana Pacers. Before the injury, he averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in five appearances — production the Mavericks have struggled to replicate in his absence.
After going through practice, Davis said he felt good and appreciated the competitive spirit of his teammates as he works his way back into regular form.
“It felt good,” Davis said. “Good practice. Great intensity and competitive spirit. It was good to get back on the floor with the guys.”
A Long, Cautious Ramp-Up for Anthony Davis
Wednesday marked the end of a ramp-up process Kidd first outlined earlier in the week. Before Monday’s game in Miami, he said the team anticipated Davis practicing on Wednesday, calling the star big man’s progress steady and encouraging.
“I think he continues to get better. He’s working to get back, and we anticipate him practicing this week,” Kidd said on Monday. “Anytime with a calf strain, you have to be cautious. But he’s worked extremely hard. The next step is practice on Wednesday, and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Davis confirmed Wednesday that the medical staff has expressed similar caution behind the scenes. He said the goal has been to avoid rushing, particularly after what he experienced with his previous calf injury.
“I don’t think this one was as severe as the one in ’22,” Davis said. “I’m just listening to our medical staff and doing everything they need me to do to make sure I’m ready to get back on the floor.”
The gradual pace of rehab, however, hasn’t been easy.
“It’s always frustrating when you’re sitting out,” Davis said. “Our job is to play games, and I want to play. But I’m also listening to the medical staff and the front office and trying to be smart about the situation. The time is getting closer now, hopefully this weekend, and we’ll go from there.”
Davis also said he will only play in one leg of the upcoming back-to-back against the Lakers and Clippers, though he made clear which game he’s hoping to return for.
“You know what game I want to play,” Davis said. “But we’ll see. We’ll have a conversation. See what makes the most sense with the medical staff and coaching staff. No decision has been made.”
League-Wide Soft-Tissue Concerns Shape Dallas Mavericks’ Approach
The Mavericks have emphasized caution throughout his recovery, mindful of recurring soft-tissue injuries around the league.
Kidd said player training habits across the NBA may be contributing to injury frequency.
“Everyone has a right to their opinion. It could be the way we train, because when you go from zero to it, that can put stress on the body,” Kidd said. “Sometimes you might have to look at the way you train — the one-on-zero or the one-on-one versus the chair does not help when it becomes game-like.”
He added that preparation often fails to mirror the speed and physical demands of modern games.
“Can we look at conditioning? … Maybe it’s just the way we work out. Play more five-on-five and three-on-three instead of one-on-zero,” Kidd said. “They’re bigger, they’re faster. But there’s no way you’re going to shorten the season — more players would have to give back money.”
Dallas Mavericks Hopeful But Still Shorthanded
Even with Davis nearing a return, Dallas continues to navigate a depleted rotation. Dereck Lively II remains out with right foot injury management, Brandon Williams is battling low back tightness, and the team is still without Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Danté Exum (right knee injury management).
Their absence has stretched the roster thin during a grueling schedule that included 11 games in 18 days.
Veteran guard Klay Thompson summed up the team’s mood earlier in the week.
“We’ll be healthy one day,” Thompson said. “And I’m very excited for that day, whenever that is.”
Dallas returns to play Friday against the Lakers before facing the Clippers on Saturday. Kidd made clear the team will not rush Davis into either game but acknowledged the momentum of his first full practice.
For the Mavericks, who have spent much of the season patching together lineups and searching for stability, the possibility of reintegrating Davis represents their most encouraging development in weeks.
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