Injuries have limited Anthony Davis to just one appearance alongside his Dallas Mavericks co-star Kyrie Irving since joining the team at last season’s trade deadline. While rampant trade rumors involving Davis threaten to cut their partnership short, the 10-time All-Star is relishing his time as Irving’s teammate.
Following Friday’s 119-111 home win over the Brooklyn Nets, Davis opened up about his longstanding friendship with Irving and their evolving dynamic.
Anthony Davis Shows Love to Kyrie Irving Amid Mavericks’ Midseason Turnaround
Irving has yet to suit up this season as he recovers from a torn left ACL he suffered on March 3, just one month after Dallas stunningly acquired Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers. However, with Davis nursing an adductor injury of his own at the time, the star duo has only shared the court together for less than a full game.
Still, Irving has provided key leadership for Dallas, which has overcome its injury woes to win five of its last six contests. When asked during Friday’s postgame interview about Irving’s “player-coach role,” Davis spoke glowingly about the veteran guard.
“We’re really close. We’ve actually been trying to become teammates for a while. That’s another story; we don’t have time for that,” Davis began. “But obviously, just playing one game with each other, half a game, since we’ve been here, is kinda tough, and that wasn’t the vision.
“But having him as a ‘coach’ now, he constantly texts me about stuff he sees when we on the road. Here, he’s talking to me on the bench, what he sees. … It’s good to have him around, his knowledge of the game. We lean on each other, and I think he’s been a big advocate for all us players to continue to be better … We all love Kai, and we obviously can’t wait till he get back on the floor for real with us and go on a deeper run.”
Following Friday’s victory, Dallas (10-16) sits 10th in the West, clinging to the conference’s final play-in spot. That said, Davis is beginning to hit his stride alongside rookie phenom Cooper Flagg after working his way back from a 14-game absence due to a left calf strain.
Over his past two outings, both wins, the two-way big man is averaging 26.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 60%. As such, optimism about the Mavericks’ viability is growing, even amid persistent speculation about Davis’ future following the organization’s front office shake-up.
While Irving’s official return timetable has yet to be announced, the nine-time All-Star’s potential midseason insertion into Dallas’ guard-needy lineup could propel the team firmly into the West playoff picture.
