Tim MacMahonNov 29, 2025, 02:57 AM ET
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Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
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LOS ANGELES — It had been virtually a month since Anthony Davis final performed for the Dallas Mavericks, however his former coach JJ Redick vowed pregame to present the 10-time All-Star the “requisite level of attention” in Davis’ return Friday night time in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers.
That was evident from the primary time Davis touched the ball, when a second Lakers defender rotated to him, setting the tone.
Davis, who had been sidelined since Oct. 29 due to a left calf pressure, completed with 12 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and three blocks within the Mavs’ 129-119 loss to the Lakers. He was 6-of-10 taking pictures didn’t try a free throw in 28 minutes, barely exceeding the minutes restriction that had been set.
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“We weren’t really trying to force anything,” Davis mentioned. “They were kind of double-teaming every time I caught the ball. As soon as I catch it and turn around, it was two guys in my face. I was just trying to make the right play with the pass. The shots [will] come to me when I have an opportunity to score, but the rhythm’s going to get there.”
Lakers followers gave Davis a loud applause when his title was known as throughout pregame introductions. This was the primary sport that he performed at Crypto.com Enviornment since he was traded within the Feb. 2 stunning blockbuster deal that delivered Luka Doncic to Los Angeles.
Doncic, who mentioned matchups with the Mavs will all the time have “some special meaning to me,” had one other spectacular efficiency that appears commonplace for him, scoring 35 factors and meting out 11 assists.
Lakers taking pictures guard Austin Reaves was arguably one of the best participant on the courtroom Friday, scoring 38 factors on 12-of-15 taking pictures earlier than exchanging jerseys postgame together with his former teammate Davis.
Mavs ahead Anthony Davis, guarded by the Lakers’ Luka Doncic, returned to motion Friday night time and had 12 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and three blocks. Picture by Ronald Martinez/Getty Photos
“He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball,” Reaves mentioned of Davis. “I don’t know why he wanted my jersey, but for me to get his, it’s pretty fun. … I got a lot of love for AD. He’s a big reason that [I am] where I’m at right now. From day one, he was telling me to be myself, don’t be anybody else. Continue to work and really, just be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot.”
It has been a rocky tenure for Davis in Dallas, as accidents have restricted him to solely 15 video games plus a few play-in outings because the commerce, which ultimately led to Mavs basic supervisor Nico Harrison’s firing earlier this month.
Davis won’t play Saturday night time in opposition to the LA Clippers because the Mavs proceed to take a cautious strategy with him.
Davis mentioned he felt that he was able to return just a few weeks in the past, and his private medical workers had cleared him to play in opposition to the Washington Wizards. However after Dallas director of well being and efficiency Johann Bilsborough expressed concern, Mavs governor Patrick Dumont stepped in to place Davis’ plan to return on maintain till medical knowledge indicated there was no danger of aggravating the calf pressure or sustaining a associated catastrophic damage.
In the meantime, the Mavs floundered close to the underside of the Western Convention standings. They’re 5-15 after Friday’s loss.
“Any time you’re sitting down and you see these guys, especially in close games, you wish you could be out there,” Davis mentioned. “As one of the leaders, you want to go out there. It’s a competitive nature to go out and help these guys, but now I have opportunity to do that.”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.
