Anthony Davis cleared to face Lakers on Friday after month-long calf layoff
anthony-davis-set-to-return-vs-lakers-after-calf-strain
LOS ANGELES — Dallas Mavericks forward-center Anthony Davis intends to play Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, ending a four-week absence caused by a right calf strain, according to league sources.
The appearance will mark Davis’ first game at Crypto.com Arena against his former team since the February trade that sent the 2020 NBA champion to Dallas in a blockbuster deal for guard Luka Doncic.
Davis, sidelined since Oct. 29, had initially circled the Mavericks’ Nov. 8 visit to the Washington Wizards for his return. Team governor Patrick Dumont postponed that timeline after health and performance director Johann Bilsborough recommended additional caution until data showed minimal risk of re-injury.
Following Wednesday’s practice, the eight-time All-Star told reporters he expected to play in one leg of Dallas’ weekend back-to-back in Los Angeles. “You know what game I want to play,” he said, alluding to Friday’s matchup with the Lakers.
Current plans call for Davis to sit out Saturday’s meeting with the LA Clippers and rejoin the lineup Monday in Denver against the Nuggets.
The 32-year-old returns 17 days after the Mavericks dismissed general manager Nico Harrison. Despite speculation that Dallas may gauge Davis’ trade value before the early-February deadline, the veteran said the chatter does not bother him. “My job is to play basketball and try to lead this team,” he noted, adding that he maintains an open line of communication with the front office.
Source: ESPN
