Anthony Davis’ Return to the Mavericks Remains Uncertain

Mavericks manager Patrick Dumont is currently weighing the timeline for Anthony Davis’ return to the game.

Davis is sidelined due to a strained left calf muscle and is expected to miss his seventh consecutive game starting Wednesday. According to reports, he can’t get back on the court until Dumont gives his approval.

The Mavericks’ owner is seeking medical assurances that the 10-time All-Star won’t risk worsening his injury by returning to play too soon. There’s evident concern that if Davis isn’t completely healed, he could face a significant injury, reminiscent of how Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon during last season’s NBA Finals.

Davis, who is 32, had initially hoped to make a comeback on November 8 against the Wizards. However, there seems to have been a difference of opinion between the Mavericks’ health staff, led by Johan Bilsborough, and Davis’ personal medical team.

Dumont sided with the team’s medical experts, resulting in Davis sitting out the game. This increasing engagement from Dumont in decisions regarding Davis indicates growing distrust with former general manager Nico Harrison, who was waived just days ago, approximately nine months after the trade that brought Davis to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.

This trade had initially shocked the NBA community, placing Davis as the focal point of the Mavericks’ strategy. However, since then, it’s worth noting that he has been out for more time than might be deemed reasonable, appearing in only 16 games since joining Dallas, which includes two play-in games. He has struggled with injuries, first dealing with an abdominal issue at the time of the trade, and then suffering an adductor strain shortly after his first game with the team on February 8.