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[Saba Sports News] To say the Dallas Mavericks have struggled since trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in early February would be putting it mildly.
But on Wednesday night, Mavs fans finally had something to cheer about, as Anthony Davis—the centerpiece of that blockbuster deal—delivered his best performance in a Dallas uniform, capped off by a clutch game-winner in a 120-118 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Davis finished with a dominant stat line: 34 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks, helping push the Mavericks closer to solidifying their play-in spot. His performance was especially significant given the circumstances—Davis had only recently returned from injury, and many questioned whether he should even suit up again this season following Kyrie Irving’s season-ending ACL tear.
But Davis showed he’s built for the moment, and his return to form didn’t go unnoticed—particularly by former teammate LeBron James, who shared his support.
Despite being on separate teams now, the bond between James and Davis remains strong. The two shared a championship run with the Lakers in 2020, and their connection runs deeper than just basketball.
While the Lakers remain clear winners of the Dončić-Davis trade, the Mavericks envisioned a new identity—one built on size, strength, and interior dominance. Nights like Wednesday show glimpses of how that vision could have materialized had injuries not derailed the roster.
With the win, Dallas moves to 38-39 and holds a 2.5-game cushion for the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference with just five games left in the regular season. The climb isn’t over, but performances like this from Davis give the Mavericks hope when they need it most.