The Dallas Mavericks' injuries have derailed this season like Jason Kidd has never seen before, and the blows keep getting worse as time goes on.
On Sunday afternoon, Kessler Edwards, Dwight Powell, and Brandon Williams all suffered various injuries, and this was in a game in which the Mavericks only had nine players available to begin with. Dallas also lost Olivier-Maxence Prosper for the year with a wrist injury and Kyrie Irving due to an ACL tear last week, leaving them without four of their five usual starters due to injuries (Klay Thompson is the only healthy usual starter).
This includes new Maverick Anthony Davis, as he suffered an adductor strain in his first game with the team. Before Irving got injured, Dallas' season rested on whether Davis could return this season. Dallas wouldn't have been able to go on a deep playoff run without him, and now fans have a promising update about when his return could possibly be.
Davis set to return, but Mavericks face risky decision
Davis' rehab has been going positively, as he has started to do light on-court work over the last week or so, and he is now ramping up his activity with just over a month remaining in the season. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Davis is "progressing toward an in-season return," (subscription required) along with Dereck Lively II.
Davis reportedly played two-on-two over the weekend, and he should reach the point that he'll be ready to play in an NBA game before the season ends. It remains unknown if Dallas will decide to bring him back or not, but it remains a good sign nonetheless that the Mavs' new superstar's recovery is going well and that he will probably be healthy enough to return at some point soon.
Mavs fans saw just how dominant Davis can be when he's at his best, as he had an outstanding debut. Davis finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks while shooting 10-18 from the field and 2-2 from downtown, showcasing that he can do it all. He couldn't be stopped down low, and he reminded fans that he is still one of the best bigs in the NBA, regardless of how badly the Los Angeles Lakers won the Luka Doncic trade. It sounds like Mavericks fans could see Davis on the floor again before the season is over, but that might not be the smartest idea considering the position Dallas is in right now.
While Davis' return would provide Mavericks fans some temporary relief as it would likely lead to them winning some games amid this morbid stretch, that happiness would be outweighed by the risk that comes along with it. If Davis were to return, the Mavericks would be risking him getting re-injured, and it may be in their best interest to shut him down for the year. Since the Mavericks own their first-round pick in this summer's draft, increasing their lottery odds may be the best plan rather than trying to climb in the standings, as they don't have the firepower to make a deep playoff run.
This is an extremely tough situation, as Davis could end up being eager to play once he's fully healthy, and the front office will have to decide if they want to bring him back and allow him to try to lead Dallas on a deep playoff run or choose to rest him and punt on the season. Both possibilities will likely lead to a negative fan reaction of some sort, and Dallas must be strategic in their plans for the new franchise cornerstone.
Fans will have a better idea of what the team's plan turns out to be when it comes to managing Davis' adductor injury, and we'll have you covered with all the latest.
