Report: Mavs’ Anthony Davis could return ‘any day’

The Mavericks’ upcoming four-game road trip has taken on significant importance, despite the team’s 34-37 record, as reported by NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Stein’s sources say that Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined since February 8 with a left adductor strain suffered during his Mavericks debut, is poised to make his return during the team’s swing through the Eastern Conference.

“Could be any day,” one source familiar with Davis’ status told Stein on Sunday night.

Dallas’ trip begins with back-to-back games in New York City, facing the Nets on Monday and the Knicks on Tuesday, before heading to Orlando on Thursday and finishing in Chicago on Saturday.

Davis has been upgraded to doubtful for the game against the Nets, marking the first time since his injury that the Mavericks have not listed him as out. However, Stein’s sources indicated that Davis could return as soon as Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.

Per Stein, Tuesday’s game or Thursday’s matchup with the Magic have emerged as the targets for Davis’ comeback, after the nine-time NBA All-Star participated in five-on-five play twice this past week with the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, when asked for a status update before Friday’s win over Detroit, declined to commit to a specific return date but emphasized that the goal is for Davis to return during the season.

“Everyone had a positive day,” Kidd said, referring to the work done by Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford with the Legends. “Hopefully we can get them back in uniform and playing, but there is no timetable.”

Sources indicate that Davis is the closest of Dallas’ injured veterans to returning. Lively (right ankle) and Gafford (right knee) have resumed 3-on-3 activities, while newly acquired swingman Caleb Martin has been sidelined again by a right hip injury after playing in five games.

Davis was initially expected to be out indefinitely after suffering the adductor strain, a setback he had downplayed as “nothing serious” at the time. Despite suggestions from some close to the situation that he should sit out the rest of the season, given Dallas’ current position at 11th in the Western Conference and the potential for an NBA lottery pick, Davis has remained eager to return.

Could the Luka trade have stemmed from ownership?

"That sounds like something from ownership; that's not a basketball decision."

– @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/0ebrLcpFVf

— Full Court Cleveland (@FullCourtCLE) March 24, 2025

The trade that brought Davis to Dallas on February 2, which sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and a future unprotected first-round pick in 2029, has drawn considerable criticism, particularly from Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.

The franchise’s woes have been compounded by a string of injuries, leaving the team frequently with the league-minimum eight players in uniform.

Davis had an impressive debut with the Mavericks, recording 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocked shots in a victory over the Rockets. However, that remains the only game he has played since the trade.

The Mavericks’ struggles were further compounded by the season-ending ACL tear suffered by All-Star guard Kyrie Irving on March 3, making a deep playoff run seem unlikely unless the team can regain key players and make a significant push to qualify for the Play-In Tournament.