Not too long ago, Dallas Mavericks star forward Anthony Davis was competing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis developed a dynamic partnership with LeBron James in Los Angeles, winning a championship alongside the 21-time All-Star in 2020 (his first season with Los Angeles following an offseason trade from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Lakers) and regularly complementing him on the offensive end.
However, following the Lakers’ 128-112 Feb. 1 victory over the New York Knicks last season, the organization did the unthinkable, trading Davis to the Mavericks for Luka Doncic.
Due to a left adductor strain suffered during his official debut with the Mavericks vs. The Houston Rockets, Davis was unable to get sweet revenge on the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena during the second portion of the 2024-25 season.
However, things will be different this time around, as Davis, who's been out with a calf strain, was recently gifted a perfect opportunity to get payback on a Lakers franchise that wasn’t all-in on him.
“Dallas Mavericks star power forward/center Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined for the past month with a calf strain, plans to return to action against the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday night,” ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon reported Friday.
“It will be the first time the 2020 NBA champion is facing his former team in L.A. Since the February trade that sent Davis to the Mavs as part of the package in exchange for superstar guard Luka Doncic.”
It’s safe to say Davis will be prepared to play his best basketball vs. The Lakers on Friday night.
While the Mavericks are going nowhere fast, making a statement against the organization that didn’t value him enough to keep him around for the long haul would undoubtedly uplift Davis’ spirits.
Needless to say, the Lakers and Mavericks’ upcoming duel will be must-see TV.
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