Anthony Davis Returning Against Mavericks, LeBron James Still Weeks Away From Playing For Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday will get some much-needed reinforcements. After missing 30 games, All-Star big man Anthony Davis is set to return to the active roster.

Davis will suit up for the Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks, as long as he doesn’t suffer a setback in Wednesday's practice. The 28-year-old told reporters he feels completely healthy after a lengthy layoff due to a calf injury and Achilles tendinosis.

While Davis is back, LeBron James continues to be sidelined because of a high ankle sprain. James is thought to be weeks away from playing in a game, ESPN reports.

“It’s going to be my job to try to help the team stay afloat until he comes back as well and stay fighting,” Davis said. “But this team has done more than we can ask for.”

Anthony Davis said he felt a “ripping” sensation when he planted his foot wrong in Denver in February. He said he’s never experienced pain like that and was initially worried he tore his Achilles.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 21, 2021

Los Angeles has managed to stay in the playoff picture, despite losing Davis on Feb. 14 and James on March 20. With 14 games left in the regular season, the Lakers are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is four games ahead of No. 7 seed Dallas, currently the first team in the play-in tournament.

The Lakers and Mavericks are set to face off in consecutive games. The results could go a long way in determining if Los Angeles can avoid falling out of the top-six in the West.

The Lakers have gone 14-16 in Davis’ absence. In games that both James and Davis have missed, L.A. has a 7-10 record.

Prior to getting hurt, Davis was averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Davis’ scoring average is down from 26.1 points per game last season, though he increased his field-goal shooting to a near career-high 53.3%.

Davis was selected to the All-Star Game for the eighth consecutive season.

Had Davis not gotten hurt, he might have been on his way toward winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Lakers have the NBA’s best defensive rating.