Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis appears to be on the verge of a return, with head coach Jason Kidd revealing Wednesday that the injured big man has been upgraded to questionable for Friday night’s marquee showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers — his former team.
Jason Kidd Says Davis’ Return Is Nearing
Getty Images Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd reveals a major update on Anthony Davis.
Speaking after practice, Kidd confirmed that Davis participated fully with the group for the first time since suffering a strained calf earlier this month.
“First practice with the group, he did a really good job,” Kidd said, via Dallas Morning News reporter Mike Curtis. “Hopefully we can see how he feels tomorrow and we’ll make that decision if it’s LA or the Clippers.”
Dallas faces the Lakers on Friday and the Clippers on Saturday, and Davis made it clear he already knows which game he wants.
Anthony Davis Hints at Lakers Return: ‘You Know What Game I Want’
The 10-time All-Star center didn’t hide his preference when asked whether he would rather return against Los Angeles or wait an extra day.
“You know what game I want to play,” Davis said, via The Athletic’s Christian Clark. “But we’ll see. We’ll have a conversation. See what makes the most sense with the medical staff and coaching staff. No decision has been made.”
If activated, Friday would mark Davis’ first game against the Lakers since he was traded for Luka Dončić in one of the most shocking blockbuster swaps in league history.
Mavericks’ Front Office Drama Surrounds Davis’ Injury
Davis has missed 14 straight games, during which the Mavericks have gone a disastrous 3–11, triggering a front-office shakeup. The organization fired general manager Nico Harrison in the middle of Davis’ absence — a move tied directly to the star’s health status.
Tension escalated when team governor Patrick Dumont stepped in and blocked Davis from returning early. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Harrison and Davis pushed for an early comeback on Nov. 8 against the Wizards, but Dumont intervened after consulting director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough, who warned that Davis risked a “catastrophic injury.”
“This marked the first time Dumont had directly involved himself in basketball operations,” MacMahon wrote.
Three days later, Harrison was fired — a move widely interpreted as a referendum on his handling of the stunning end to Dončić’s final days in Dallas and the beginning of the Davis era.
Weight, Injuries, and a $186 Million Gamble
Davis’ time in Dallas has been defined more by injury setbacks than All-Star production. He played only nine games last year due to an adductor injury and underwent retina surgery during the offseason. Expectations rose entering this season, but The Athletic reported that Davis arrived at camp weighing 268 pounds — 15 pounds above his playing weight.
The 32-year-old big man is only in the first year of a three-year, $186 million contract, with a player option for 2027-28 and an expected push for a more lucrative extension this summer.
High-Stakes Return as Luka Dončić Thrives With Lakers
Davis’ urgency to return comes as the Lakers are thriving post-trade, led by Dončić’s MVP-level play. The superstar guard is averaging 35.2 points, 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds, fueling a five-game winning streak and a 13-4 record — tied for second in the West.
Friday’s matchup could be more than a reunion. It could be the first real test of whether the Mavericks’ franchise-altering gamble on Davis will pay off.
If Davis returns the way he hopes, all eyes will be on Dallas — and on whether he would stay or get traded in the aftermath of Harrison’s firing.
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