NBA Rumors: The Dallas Mavericks finally get some encouraging news on the Anthony Davis injury front.
In the short stint that Anthony Davis did play for the Dallas Mavericks, he was a strong force. AD was playing so well during his debut for the team that it almost helped the Mavs get over losing Luka Doncic. Of course, that was until AD went down with a non-contact injury that would later be diagnosed as an adductor strain. Dallas continues to attempt to survive without AD in the lineup and managed to do so relatively well leading up to the NBA All-Star break. However, it would be outlandish to suggest the team would be better off without AD.
The good news for the Mavs is that he may be inching closer and closer to his return from injury. According to a recent update, AD is progressing well and is expected to be reevaluated in about two weeks. That doesn't mean that AD will return in two weeks but that's when he could get the green light in ramping up his rehab toward a return to the floor. Nevertheless, this is certainly good news for a Mavs team that is looking to make a move up the Western Conference standings heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
The uphill battle for the Dallas Mavericks
With 26 games left in the regular season, the Mavs are still very much in striking distance to finish as a top 6 seed in the West standings. Between now and the end of the season, they'll have to make up 1.5 games and leapfrog the Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers, while also possibly holding off a team like the Golden State Warriors. If the Mavs are going to be able to accomplish that, you'd have to believe that they're going to need a healthy AD back in the lineup sooner rather than later.
In the 31 minutes played in his debut before his injury, AD was on pace to have one of the most memorable debuts in Mavericks history. Against the Houston Rockets, he finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists through roughly three quarters. If AD is healthy, there's no question he's going to make a huge impact for the Mavs.
How high can he help them rise in the West remains to be seen. However, if the Mavs are going to make any noise in the playoffs, settling in the right seed is going to be important. With the way things are trending in the West standings, that sixth seed could very well be the target for the team. They're going to need AD to get there and the good news is that it appears he is inching closer to a possible return.