Mavs’ Anthony Davis returns from 14-game absence to face Lakers

LOS ANGELES — Dallas Mavericks star power forward/center Anthony Davis, who was out for the past month with a calf strain, returned to face the Lakers on Friday night in Los Angeles.

It is the first time the 2020 NBA champion is facing his former team in L.A. since the February trade that sent Davis to the Mavs as part of a package in exchange for superstar guard Luka Doncic. Mavs coach Jason Kidd said Davis was expected to play 24 to 27 minutes against the Lakers.

“You’re talking about one of the best players in the world,” Kidd said. “It’s going to take a little bit of chemistry when you get him back on the floor. For tonight, I just want a positive experience, positive minutes.”

Davis, who has been sidelined since October 29, originally targeted a November 8 road game against the Washington Wizards as his return date. However, Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont, acting on the advice of Dallas Health and Performance Director Johann Bilsborough, halted that plan. Dumont insisted that Davis would not be allowed to play until there was medical data indicating he was not at risk of developing a calf strain.

After practice on Wednesday, Davis told reporters he would play back-to-back games against the two Los Angeles teams on one end of the Mavs weekend.

“You know what game I want to play,” he said, referring to the matchup with his former team. “But we’ll see.”

The plan now for Davis is to sit out Saturday’s game against the LA Clippers and be available for Monday’s road game against the Denver Nuggets.

Davis returns 17 days after the Mavs fired general manager Nico Harrison and amid expectations that the Mavs will potentially explore trading him before the February deadline.

Davis said, “It doesn’t affect me; I’ve been in trade talks for a while.” “My job is to do what I do when I’m on the floor, playing basketball and trying to lead this team. Whatever comes out of that, comes out of that. I don’t really have any control over that, but I have an open line of communication with the front office, and I’m ready to get back on the floor.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.