Anthony Davis wasn’t supposed to be back. Not this season. Not with the Dallas Mavericks falling apart at the seams, barely holding onto the final Western Conference play-in spot.
But here we are, Davis is back against the Brooklyn Nets after missing six weeks with an adductor injury. And if you ask head coach Jason Kidd, there’s no mystery behind it. “He gets paid to play,” Kidd bluntly admitted.
Now, whether that’s a sign of Davis’ commitment or just the Mavericks’ desperation is up for debate. Either way, Dallas needs all the help it can get.
Mavericks Bring Back Anthony Davis With Play-In At Stake
When Dallas made the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade for Davis, it was a gamble that hasn’t exactly paid off. Davis barely lasted three quarters in his Mavericks debut before getting sidelined. But it didn’t stop there. Kyrie Irving? Gone for the season with a torn ACL. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford? Also battling injuries. It’s been a nightmare.
But Davis is back. And it was desperate, as the Mavericks are clinging to their postseason hopes. They’re barely ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot, and with 10 games left, there’s no room for error.
Mavericks HC Jason Kidd admired Davis for his effort. “I think you have to commend him for working to get back because this is his job. He feels responsible to get back to work.”
Jason Kidd responds to reports that Anthony Davis "pushed hard" to return from his injury this season:
“I think you have to commend him for working to get back because this is his job. He feels responsible to get back to work… He gets paid to play. I know you think this is a… pic.twitter.com/ARqAlJYNun
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 24, 2025
Kidd added. “He gets paid to play. I know you think this is a joke, but his character of working to get back with 12 games left shows how much he cares.”
Of course, the Mavericks weren’t going to throw him straight into the fire. Davis played a 27-minute restriction against Brooklyn, but his presence alone helped stabilize the team’s shaky frontcourt. But in typical Davis fashion, he made his mark even in restricted time.
Can Davis Flip The Mavericks’ Season Around?
Before the injury, Davis was on fire. He averaged 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists. In his first game as a Maverick, he put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists before going down. And by the looks of it, he hasn’t lost his touch.
It was a great outing for Davis against the Nets. He added 12 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Dallas suddenly looked a whole lot more dangerous with a convincing 120-101 win. But will this run continue? The team has been running on fumes for weeks, and it’s hard to imagine Davis immediately fixing all of its problems.
With the season hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on Davis. The Mavericks don’t have the luxury of patience. If they want a shot at the postseason, they need their big man to stand and deliver—right now.