Mavs’ Anthony Davis moving toward return during four-game trip

The Mavericks’ upcoming four-game road trip has taken on added significance, despite the team’s 34-37 record, as written by Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Stein’s sources indicate that Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined since suffering a left adductor strain in the third quarter of his Mavericks debut on February 8, is progressing toward a potential return during the team’s Eastern Conference road trip.

Davis is reportedly the closest of the Mavericks’ injured veterans to being cleared for activation. Meanwhile, fellow big men Dereck Lively (right ankle) and Daniel Gafford (right knee) have returned to 3-on-3 activities this week. New acquisition Caleb Martin, however, has been set back by a right hip injury after appearing in five games.

Stein first reported on Super Bowl Sunday that Davis would be out indefinitely following the injury, despite his initial comments suggesting it was “nothing serious.”

The following Monday, it was reported that Davis remained eager to make an in-season return rather than delay until next season, even though some close to the situation had urged him to sit out given Dallas’ slip to 11th place in the Western Conference standings.

With a potential lottery pick on the horizon after a tough six-week stretch, the Mavericks have faced criticism, especially following the February 2 trade that sent franchise star Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick.

Dallas’ struggles have been compounded by a series of injuries, with the Mavericks often dressing just eight players for recent games, the league’s minimum roster requirement.

Davis impressed in his lone game for the Mavericks, posting 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in a win over the Rockets. However, he has not played since that game.

Dallas’ playoff hopes have since been further dimmed by the season-ending ACL tear suffered by All-Star guard Kyrie Irving on March 3, making a deep postseason run unlikely even if the team gets some of its big men back and manages to qualify for the play-in tournament.

The Mavericks’ road trip begins with back-to-back games in New York City against the Nets and Knicks on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a Thursday game in Orlando and a Saturday finale in Chicago.

While a specific return date for Davis has not been confirmed, Stein’s sources say the nine-time All-Star has progressed to the point where he is nearing clearance to rejoin the active roster. Davis participated in two five-on-five sessions this week with the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, when asked before Friday’s win over Detroit, declined to commit to a return date for Davis but emphasized that an in-season comeback is the team’s goal.

“Everyone had a positive day,” Kidd said of Davis, Lively, and Gafford’s work with the Legends, via Stein. “Hopefully, we can get them back in uniform and playing, but there is no timetable.”