Dallas Basketball

Anthony Davis earns Maverick teammate's respect by coming back from injury

Daniel Gafford applauded Davis for returning from an adductor strain.
Keenan Womack|
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and center Daniel Gafford (21) celebrates after Davis dunks the ball during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and center Daniel Gafford (21) celebrates after Davis dunks the ball during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

In the midst of the season from hell that the Dallas Mavericks have experienced, things like low effort caused by low morale can permeate a locker room and cause real chemistry issues. Considering the string of injuries and bad decisions by the front office, this would be the year to give up on the team, but this group does not have that attitude.

Star forward/center Anthony Davis, who easily could have shut himself down for the season after suffering a serious adductor strain, made his return last week and will play tonight against the Brooklyn Nets.

READ MORE: 76ers aiming to re-sign former Mavericks guard in offseason

Daniel Gafford
Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) looks on during the second half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

His resilience has been a point of inspiration for the rest of this Dallas squad, with players like Daniel Gafford praising Davis' decision to continue to play in what is a lost season: “First off, it's just the love of the game, for sure...to come back and just make an impact for the team, that says a lot about him because he wants to be out there helping the team as much as he can.”

Gafford is also out with an injury, though it seems he could make a return of his own on Monday night against the Nets. What stands out about this interaction is that these players are not allowing the outside noise to change their feelings about winning and being competitive. It speaks to the strong character amongst this group that players are continuing to work back from being hurt and getting onto the floor. Hopefully, for them, it results in more wins.

READ MORE: Mavericks' Klay Thompson speaks on possible retirement plans

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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