The Los Angeles Lakers could be headed for a dramatic reunion on Friday night.
Former Lakers star Anthony Davis has been upgraded to âquestionableâ by the Dallas Mavericks ahead of their matchup against Los Angeles â potentially setting up his first appearance against the Lakers since the blockbuster trade that brought Luka DonÄiÄ to L.A.
Davis Pushes to Play vs. His Former Team
Getty Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a photo during Dallas Mavericks media day.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd confirmed Davis practiced fully on Wednesday, telling reporters the All-NBA center looked strong and is âgetting closerâ to a return after missing 14 games.
âFirst practice with the group, he did a really good job,â Kidd said, via Dallas Morning News reporter Mike Curtis. âWeâll see how he feels tomorrow and make that decision if itâs the Lakers or the Clippers.â
But Davis all but circled the Lakers game himself.
âYou know what game I want to play,â he said, via The Athleticâs Christian Clark, when asked whether he preferred to play Friday (vs. Lakers) or Saturday (vs. the Clippers).
âNo decision has been made,â he added, before reiterating that he planned to meet with medical and coaching staff. But the message was unmistakable.
Mavericks Front-Office Drama Led to Delayed Return
Davisâ comeback storyline has only intensified following internal conflict inside the Mavericks’ front office. According to ESPNâs Tim MacMahon, Dallas team governor Patrick Dumont blocked Davisâ earlier push to return, defying both Davis and former GM Nico Harrison, who believed he was ready to play.
MacMahon reported that Dumont consulted director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough, who warned Davis risked a catastrophic injury if rushed back from a calf strain. Three days after the intervention, Harrison was fired.
The move was significant â marking the first time Dumont directly intervened in basketball operations, per MacMahon. The decision indirectly protected Davis, but also highlighted how fragile Dallasâ future is with their new franchise big man.
Lakers Have Surged With Luka Post-Davis Trade
Getty Luka DonÄiÄ of the Lakers reacts after a dunk.
The trade reshaped two franchises, and early returns favor the Lakers. With DonÄiÄ thriving as the face of Los Angeles basketball, the Lakers have jumped to the top tier of the Western Conference at 13â4, driven by DonÄiÄâs MVP-level start: 35.2 points, 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Davis was expected to pair with Kyrie Irving in Dallas and anchor a title run. Instead, heâs appeared in only nine games in 2024â25.
His tenure has been defined by setbacks: a calf strain, an adductor issue last season, and retina surgery on his right eye last summer â all while playing on a $186 million contract that includes a player option in 2027â28. His camp is expected to pursue an even larger extension this offseason.
Friday Could Be a Statement Game
If Davis plays â and based on his own comments, he intends to â Friday will bring a must-see moment in L.A. sports history.
The Lakers traded one franchise superstar for another. Now, those universes collide.
For the first time, Davis could face the Lakers wearing another jersey. And he doesnât seem interested in waiting another game to do it.
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