Anthony Davis is back - and just in time for a heavyweight Western Conference showdown.
After missing 14 games with a calf injury, the Dallas Mavericks star made his return Friday night against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Mavs held him out of the second leg of the back-to-back against the Clippers on Saturday, Davis is now listed as probable for Monday night’s matchup in Denver against Nikola Jokić and the defending champion Nuggets.
That’s a big boost for Dallas, even as they enter the game as clear underdogs.
Anthony Davis (injury management) listed probable for Monday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 30, 2025
Davis has only suited up six times this season, but when he’s been on the floor, he’s been productive - averaging 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting nearly 53 percent from the field. In his return on Friday, he looked surprisingly sharp given the layoff, logging just under 29 minutes and finishing with 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting, along with five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. That’s a well-rounded stat line for a guy shaking off rust.
While it’s possible the Mavs continue to manage his minutes carefully, Davis’ usage against the Lakers suggests he’s ready to contribute in a meaningful way - especially with Dallas short-handed in the frontcourt. Dereck Lively II is banged up, and Daniel Gafford is listed as doubtful, which could push Davis into more minutes at the five. That’s not just a positional shift - it’s a chance for Davis to take on a bigger role on the glass.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Despite the relatively modest rebounding total in his return, Davis has been a force on the boards this season when healthy. He’s pulled down eight or more rebounds in four of his six appearances, hitting double digits each time he’s cleared that mark. Even in the game where he got hurt against Indiana, he grabbed four rebounds in just six minutes - a sign of how active he’s been around the rim.
The Nuggets are no slouch on the glass - they rank second in the league in rebounding percentage - but Davis has shown he can hold his own, especially when he’s operating as the primary big. He’s averaging 15.7 rebound chances per game this season, which tells you the opportunities are there.
This matchup against Denver isn’t just another game. It’s a litmus test for where Davis and the Mavericks stand right now.
For Dallas, it’s about staying afloat in a loaded Western Conference while navigating injuries. For Davis, it’s about finding his rhythm and reminding everyone what he can do when he’s healthy.
If Friday was any indication, he’s not far off.