The Dallas Mavericks, since the trade are only a topic of discussion for worse. Where every match is a do-or-die, they sit pale with a 33-36 record, losing 8 of their last 10 games played. They currently face a brutal wave of injuries, and they keep one of their biggest stars, Anthony Davis, on the bench. Fans and analysts circulated rumors about whether he would return or get shut down for the season, and his latest move surprised them. On Monday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon revealed that coaches considered shutting Davis down, but the star forward rejected that plan—he remains determined to make a comeback.

Then, on Tuesday, as speculation ramped up, fans spotted Davis playing golf in Texas. People wonder if this is a coincidence; perhaps it is. But as the playoff race heats up, the timing demands attention. The Mavericks prepare to face the Pacers in Indianapolis, knowing they will fight a tough road battle—albeit without Anthony Davis.

The 10x All-Star has been ruled out for this matchup, as per the report submitted by the Mavs, after being sent to the Mavericks’ G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends on Monday. A clear sign he’s pushing for a return. Dallas made a massive move to land him in a blockbuster trade with the Lakers, and now, fans are waiting to see if he can get back in time to make an impact.

Davis, now a forgotten hero, was a force this season with the Lakers, averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He’s also been a dominant presence on defense, swatting away 2.2 blocks per contest. Shooting an efficient 52.8% from the field, Davis’ impact on both ends of the floor earned him an All-Star selection this season. He traveled, but the luck stayed back in LA.

Now, the Mavericks are eagerly awaiting his return, hoping his presence can give them a much-needed boost as they battle for playoff positioning. With the postseason approaching, Dallas needs all hands on deck. And he wasn’t assigned to the G League for no reason.

Anthony Davis practices with the Texas Legends

On Monday, Dallas sent him and Jaden Hardy to the G League for some work with the Texas Legends, only to call them back the same day. The move signaled progress, as both got in five-on-five scrimmages—a key step for any player nearing a return.

It’s a common rehab move, much like how MLB teams send players to the minors for a few reps before bringing them back up. While there’s no set date for Davis or Hardy to rejoin the lineup, their brief G League stint suggests they’re getting close. However, neither will suit up against the Pacers on Wednesday.

Davis made an instant impact for Dallas after arriving in a blockbuster trade with the Lakers on Feb. 2. In his Mavs debut against the Rockets, he put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in a dominant win. But just as quickly as he arrived, a left adductor strain forced him off the court in that same game. Meanwhile, Hardy has been out since March 3 after rolling his right ankle against the Kings.

Dallas has been scraping by with a shorthanded squad, sometimes dressing just eight or nine guys. The packed schedule and injury woes have also left them struggling to run full-contact practices. With the playoffs approaching, they need all hands on deck, and getting Davis back could be a game-changer. But when? Lingers the question.