Calf strain to keep Mavericks’ Anthony Davis out at least another week
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Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis will remain out of action for a minimum of seven to 10 additional days as he continues treatment on a strained left calf, the team said Sunday evening.
The announcement means Davis will sit for the ninth consecutive game when Dallas hosts the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. The updated timeline was set after medical staff re-examined the 10-time All-Star over the weekend.
“He wants to be out there to help us,” head coach Jason Kidd told reporters. “But this gives him seven to 10 days to get better or to get stronger. Hopefully, in seven to 10 days, he’s back on the floor.”
Return delayed by front-office decision
Davis originally aimed to return on Nov. 8 against the Washington Wizards—Dallas’ only win so far in November—according to team sources. That plan was vetoed by club governor Patrick Dumont, who insisted on data showing zero risk of further injury before giving approval, sources said.
Dumont’s stance aligned with the recommendation of director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough, who advocated caution over the clearance provided by Davis’ personal medical staff. Team officials fear an early comeback could put the 32-year-old in danger of a torn left Achilles, similar to the injury Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered during the NBA Finals.
Stop-and-start season
Davis has appeared in just 14 regular-season games—plus two play-in contests—since arriving as the centerpiece of the Luka Doncic trade package, a deal that ultimately preceded the dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday.
The veteran big man was rehabbing an abdominal issue when the trade closed. Hoping to ease the pressure on Harrison, Davis hurried back for the Mavericks’ first home game after the transaction and dominated the opening half of a victory over the Houston Rockets. He left that game with an adductor strain connected to his previous injury and missed the following six weeks.
The Mavericks will continue to monitor Davis’ progress, with the next evaluation expected late next week.
Source: ESPN
