By Reice ShipleyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe absence of star forward Anthony Davis for the past month has been felt in a major way by the Dallas Mavericks, who sit near the bottom of the Western Conference to start the 2025-26 NBA season. Fortunately, ahead of the team's game on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks received word on Davis' availability.
When healthy, Davis has proven to be one of the most impactful players in all of basketball over the course of his 14-year NBA career. As of late, availability has been the big problem for Davis, who has played in just 56 games dating back to last season.
Davis has been out with a lingering calf strain, last playing on October 29. As a result, Dallas sits at 5-14 on the year despite coming into the year as dark-horse contenders for many in the Western Conference.
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Ahead of Friday's game, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania shared an important update on Davis. According to Charania, Davis plans to suit up for the matchup against his former team.
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As Charania referenced in his post on the matter, the matchup certainly has plenty of significance for Davis. This will mark the first time that he will face his former team in Los Angeles since being dealt in the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade last February.
It's likely no coincidence that Davis is choosing to return for this matchup. Given the fact that the Mavericks have overwhelmingly been considered the losers of the Davis-Dončić trade in the eyes of most, there is certainly plenty for the ten-time All-Star to prove in his return to Los Angeles.
Regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, this news certainly provides a major boost to a Mavericks team that is in desperate need of some answers to help turn their season around.
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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