The Dallas Mavericks desperately cling to life in the Western Conference. With the season on the line with every game, the team needs every bit of firepower it can get (read: Anthony Davis). The All-Star big man has been sidelined since February 8 with a left adductor strain, and his absence has left the Mavs scrambling. But there’s hope on the horizon.

Davis is inching closer to a return, and it couldn’t come at a better time. But it begs the question: will AD actually play tonight? Or will Dallas have to survive another game without him?

Mavericks injury report: Will Davis play against Brooklyn?

Update: Anthony Davis is finally back! After spending what felt like an eternity on the sidelines, the 2020 NBA champ suited up for the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.

Davis had been out for 18 straight games, and let’s be real—the Mavs felt every bit of his absence. But now, he’s back in the mix, and that’s huge for Dallas. Before his injury, he was putting up monster numbers: 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. Oh, and he was knocking down 52.8% of his shots while keeping defenders honest from deep at 31.3%.

NBA insider Shams Charania spilled the details, saying, “Davis pushed hard in his rehab to make a comeback to the floor with Dallas late this season – even as the Mavericks sit in 11th in the West, tied with Suns at 34-37 entering tonight’s game in Brooklyn.” Translation? He wasn’t about to sit this one out, no matter where the standings had them.

Now, with AD back, the Mavs have a real shot at leapfrogging the Suns for that final play-in spot. But they’ve got work to do—they’re coming off a rough 2-8 skid in their last 10 games. Can Davis turn things around just in time? Buckle up, Mavs fans.

Prior to this announcement he was officially listed as “doubtful” for tonight’s game against the Nets, meaning there was a small chance, but it’s more likely he remained on the bench. While that’s frustrating, it’s also a sign that he’s inching closer to time on the hardwood. Davis has been increasing his workload in practice, even participating in full five-on-five sessions with the Mavericks’ G League affiliate. That’s a major step toward his return, even if it doesn’t happen tonight.

The team needs him back, no doubt, but not just Davis. Key players for the Mavs like Kyrie Irving (left knee sprain/ACL tear), Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), and Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture) are out. The team’s struggles can also be attributed to injuries to Dante Exum, Caleb Martin, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper as well. It has been so thin that it feels at times as if they are just piecing together whoever is available and hoping for the best.

The Nets aren’t exactly at full strength either. But for Dallas, every game without their stars feels like another wasted opportunity. If Davis remains out, Keon Johnson, Nic Claxton, and D’Angelo Russell will have to take on even more responsibility. The problem? That hasn’t been working. Dallas has lost nine of its last eleven games. And without Davis anchoring the defense, they’ve been giving up points at an alarming rate.

Dallas’ playoff hopes hinge on AD’s return

The Mavericks are barely holding on in the Western Conference, sitting at 11th place with a rough 34-37 record. Time is running out, and if Davis doesn’t return soon, their Play-In dreams could slip away before he even gets a chance to make an impact. But here’s the silver lining—if ‘The Brow’ comes back at full strength, he could completely change the trajectory of their season.

History says Davis loves playing against the Nets. In 17 career matchups against Brooklyn, he’s averaged a dominant 23.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. One of his most explosive performances came in November 2022, when he absolutely torched the Nets for 37 points and 18 rebounds, leading the Lakers to victory! That’s the kind of game-changing presence the Mavericks are desperately missing right now.

For now, though, Dallas has to survive another brutal night without their star big man. But if Davis is this close to making a comeback, the Mavericks might just have a fighting chance to turn things around before it’s too late.