MIAMI — A return for Anthony Davis appears imminent.
Though the Dallas Mavericks forward-center was downgraded to doubtful and then ruled out ahead of the team’s game on Monday, Nov. 24 against the Miami Heat, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd provided an update that points to his eventual return.
Davis has been dealing with a lower left leg injury and has missed the last 13 Mavericks games headed into Monday night. He had been dealing with an injury described as bilateral Achilles tendinopathy before he aggravated it on Wednesday, Oct. 29, during a game against the Indiana Pacers. Prior to exiting the game, Davis grabbed at his lower left leg, near his Achilles.
He did not return and has missed nearly a month with the ailment.
Here’s everything you need to know about Anthony Davis’ injury:
Anthony Davis injury update
Although the Mavericks had listed it as the Achilles injury, the team later changed the diagnosis to a calf strain, which is a tricky injury to manage.
The Mavericks, though, are planning to work Davis back to practice this week.
“He continues to get better,” Kidd told reporters prior to tipoff. “He’s working to get back. We’re anticipating him at practice this week, so any time you have a calf strain, you have to be cautious, but he has worked extremely hard. The next step is practice Wednesday, and we’ll see what happens after that.”
ESPN also reported that there was a disagreement between Davis’ personal medical staff and Mavericks director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough prior to the team’s Saturday, Nov. 8 game against the Wizards. According to the report, Bilsborough expressed concern about risking a more serious injury if Davis was rushed back too soon. Dumont, then, sided with Bilsborough.
Dallas Mavericks upcoming schedule
The Mavericks opened a four-game road trip on Monday night against Miami.
Dallas then will travel out west to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday, Nov. 28. Davis is with the team during this roadtrip, and took his place on the bench Monday night, in street clothes.
The Mavericks then play the Clippers (Saturday, Nov. 29) and Nuggets (Monday, Dec. 1), before heading back home to host the Heat (Wednesday, Dec. 3).