The NBA world is bracing for a highly anticipated showdown this Wednesday as Anthony Davis takes on his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, for the first time since being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite the emotional significance of the matchup, Davis remains calm and focused, stating that there are “no emotions” involved heading into the game.
Davis was traded to Dallas on February 2 in a shocking midseason move that sent shockwaves through the league. The Mavericks received the reigning All-NBA forward, alongside Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, in exchange for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. This blockbuster deal marked the first-ever trade of two current All-NBA players during the season, making it one of the most remarkable trades in recent NBA history.
Despite the whirlwind change, Davis wasted no time proving his worth in Dallas. He made his Mavericks debut on February 8, recording 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks in a 116-105 win against the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, Davis suffered a left adductor strain during the game, which sidelined him for a few weeks.
He made his return on March 24, helping his team secure a 120-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets. His performance on April 2 was a highlight, as he hit a game-winning shot against the Atlanta Hawks, finishing the game with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
The Mavericks faced the Lakers once since the trade on February 25, but Davis did not play due to his injury. However, now healthy, Davis is gearing up for his first game against his former team, with both his current and former squad in playoff contention. The Mavericks, currently sitting in the 10th spot in the Western Conference with a 38-41 record, are looking to climb higher, while the Lakers are in third place with a 48-30 record.
In terms of his performance with Dallas so far, Davis has averaged 20.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. While his numbers have dipped slightly compared to his tenure with the Lakers, where he averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, Davis has continued to impact the Mavericks’ success.
