"His Final Game as Mavericks" - NBA Fans Erupt as Anthony Davis Set for Return Against Lakers in Injury Comeback Game

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis is set to return from injury against his former team LA Lakers on Friday, according to ESPN Insider Shams Charania. He was sidelined for the past month with a calf strain and will play his former team for the first time since his blockbuster February trade.

Fans on social media erupted following the report. One fan on X wondered if that might be his final game as he might have been rushed back.

“AD going to get injured again. This will be his final game as a MAV.”

NimasWorld

@_nimasworld

@bballforever_ AD going to get injured again. This will be his final game as a MAV

Twitterverse shared the same thoughts.

SleeperHawks

@SleeperHawks

@LegionHoops Dude is either scoring 45 or playing 45 seconds before hurting something again

BuzzerBeats

@BuzzerBeats__

@LegionHoops Rushing back to play his former team just to get injured again smh

Chubbz

@TuckyNeutron_

@LegionHoops Bro either going for 40 or getting hurt first 5 min no in between

More fans shared the same sentiments.

miike

@LAMikeIAmStill

@LegionHoops Rushing back to play the Lakers to try and prove a point only to get hurt again 😂

tomtom

@manggtomas

@LegionHoops He gonna get injured again by 3rd-4th quarter

Anthony Davis has suffered from injuries since joining Dallas in the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. He started the 2025/26 season but has been sidelined since Oct. 29 and was at the center of a tussle between owner Patrick Dumont and former General Manager Nico Harrison. Reports claimed that Dumont vetoed plans made by Harrison to bring Davis back ahead of schedule.

Davis, according to Charania, will sit out Saturday’s game against the LA Clippers and return for Monday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

The Mavericks will visit the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California for a chance to snap a two-game losing run. Tip-off is slated for 10 p.m. ET.

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What’s next for Anthony Davis and Dallas Mavericks?

Anthony Davis missed 14 games after he suffered a calf injury. In the five games he’s played, he put up 20.8 points, 2.2 assists and 10.2 rebounds per game. In his absence, the Mavericks have struggled, recording 3-11 in that run.

Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks walks backcourt during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

His return should boost the Mavericks’ offense and rim protection. A good run of games might calm rumors of trade exits he’s faced since Nico Harrison was relieved of his role.