Mavericks’ Anthony Davis to return from injury vs. Lakers

Anthony Davis is finally set to make his return for the Mavericks. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the big man will play on Friday night against the Lakers, marking his first game since suffering a left calf strain on October 29.

Earlier this week, Davis practiced with the team and was expected to be listed as questionable for the two-game swing in Los Angeles.

Dallas faces the Lakers on Friday and the Clippers on Saturday, but medical staff made it clear Davis would not be cleared for both ends of the back-to-back.

When asked on Wednesday which game he wanted, Davis grinned and did not hide his preference.

“That’s a real question? You know what game I want to play,” he told reporters, via Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.

Friday will be his first chance to play at Crypto.com Arena as a Maverick since the February trade that sent him out of Los Angeles.

Davis originally hoped to return earlier, but Mavs owner Patrick Dumont reportedly stepped in and pushed for a conservative ramp-up to reduce the risk of re-aggravation.

The caution made sense. Davis has missed 14 straight games, and the Mavericks have spiraled in the meantime.

Dallas was 2-3 with Davis in the lineup and has since lost 11 of its last 14. The team is 5-14 overall, the second-worst record in the West, while also dealing with long-term injuries to Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum and ongoing foot and knee issues for Dereck Lively II.

The Mavericks desperately need stability, and Davis’ return is at least a step toward getting there.