The Dallas Mavericks are set to play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. While it’s not a back-to-back game, the Mavericks are being cautious with how they play their star players. Dallas reported that Anthony Davis has been listed as questionable ahead of the game, via Mavs insider Grant Afseth on Thursday. Additionally, sophomore center Dereck Lively II has been listed as out.
Davis missed more than a month of play due to a left adductor injury, from which he is currently healing. On February 8, he suffered an injury while playing against the Houston Rockets for the first time. The 10-time All-Star dominated their adversary from Texas. After playing three quarters, he finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
AD couldn’t finish his debut game and left the hardwood because of the injury.
Lively, on the other hand, had just returned to the lineup after missing almost two months due to a right ankle stress fracture injury. The coaching staff isn’t forcing the young big man to play heavy minutes and consecutive games as they are still managing his injury recovery.
On Wednesday, Lively returned to the lineup for the first time and was among the starters. However, he was limited to 15 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks.
NBA News: The Dallas Mavericks’ trio of big men played for the first time versus the Hawks
With Davis, Lively, and Daniel Gafford, Dallas supporters got a preview of what the team’s potential may look like. With the health of Duke’s second-year big man healthy, AD can resume his role as the power forward.
Against the Hawks, the trio of big men had 49 points, 26 rebounds and seven blocks. With Davis leading the way, the Mavericks’ frontcourt could be a threat on both ends of the floor.
Playing in Dallas makes Davis’ job easier
While Davis won a championship with the Lakers, his short stint in Dallas Mavericks has been extremely beneficial for him. The former Kentucky standout is playing power forward and isn’t worried about doing most of the work on defense. He now has Lively and Gafford as his partners down the floor, making the Mavs a defensively imposing team.
Following the team’s 120-118 victory against the Hawks, Davis talked about how his job has gotten “easier” with two elite centers sharing the floor with him.
“It makes my job easier,” Davis said (13:31). “As far as defensively, I’m able to roam and just kind of be like the free safety, just kind of help everybody on the floor.”
Davis also cited the offensive being faster since Gafford’s and Lively’s return. Also, the five-time All-NBA felt “good” to have one of the big men with him on the floor at all times.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
