The Mavericks took a massive gamble when they traded away Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis. But instead of a dominant force in the paint, all they’ve gotten so far is a front-row seat to AD’s rehab journey.
Davis, dealing with a left adductor strain, has barely been on the floor since landing in Dallas. And now, after an encouraging five-on-five practice session with the Mavs’ G League team, fans were hoping for a return soon. But hold up—there’s still no timeline for his comeback, and head coach Jason Kidd isn’t making any promises.
Comeback for Anthony Davis Hits Another Roadblock
The update dropped ahead of Friday’s 123-117 win over the Pistons, and while the victory kept their season alive, the long list of injuries hanging over this team is starting to feel like a death sentence. Davis might be working his way back, but will it even matter if the rest of the squad isn’t there to back him up?
Davis isn’t the only player the Mavs are waiting on. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II also hit the G League court recently, participating in three-on-three drills. But just like with AD, there’s no clear return date for either of them. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving is done for the season with a torn ACL, and the rest of the roster has been a revolving door of injuries and setbacks.
Anthony Davis did 5-on-5 with the G League team.
Gafford and Lively did 3-on-3 today with the G League team.
Kidd said there is no timetable for their return.#MFFL
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) March 21, 2025
Jason Kidd’s latest comments did little to ease concerns. “No timetable for their return,” he said when asked about Davis, Gafford, and Lively.
As per a recent update, NBA insider Marc Stein has mentioned that AD could make a return in the coming week, but there wasn’t an update on the other players who remain on the sidelines. The news will surely be a breath of relief for Mavs fans, but can he make an impact now?
Is It Already Too Late for Dallas?
When the Mavs pulled the trigger on the Dončić trade, the hope was that Davis would be the centerpiece of their new era. Instead, he lasted just 31 minutes in his debut before heading straight to the injury report. And since then, Dallas has been in freefall. Without their biggest stars, they’ve gone from Western Conference contenders to a team barely holding onto play-in hopes.
With just under a month left in the regular season, the Mavs are teetering on the edge. They’re currently clinging to the 11th seed in the West, but one more injury and it could all come crashing down. They’re running out of time, running out of healthy bodies, and running out of excuses.
Even if Davis manages to return soon, will he be enough to turn things around? The Mavs’ postseason hopes are on life support, and unless AD comes back looking like prime 2020 bubble Davis, this trade might go down as one of the biggest disasters in franchise history.
At this point, the Mavs don’t just need AD back. They need a miracle.
