Report: Anthony Davis 'Increasingly' Likely to Make Injury Return on Mavs' Road Trip

Dallas Mavericks star forward Anthony Davis is reportedly nearing his return.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Davis reportedly "is in increasingly strong contention to make his return to the floor during the Mavericks' upcoming swing through the Eastern Conference."

He added that Davis is "the closest of the Mavericks' injured veterans to being activated. Fellow sidelined big men Dereck Lively (right ankle) and Daniel Gafford (right knee) returned to 3-on-3 activities this week, while newly acquired swingman Caleb Martin has again been derailed by a right hip injury after appearing in five games."

Davis has been sidelined since Feb. 8 when he suffered a strained left adductor in his Mavs debut after the team acquired him in the shocking Luka Dončić trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavs assigned Davis to the Texas Legends in the G League on March 17 as he ramped up his recovery. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that "there has been discussion about shutting down Davis for the season, but the superstar has been steadfast in his determination to return."

In his lone appearance in a Dallas uniform, Davis looked impressive with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 31 minutes against the Houston Rockets.

Davis' injury was just one of the many misfortunes the Mavs experienced after trading away Dončić. Star point guard Kyrie Irving was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, and the team lost so many players to injury that it appeared at one point that Dallas would need to consider the possibility of forfeiting games.

The Mavs rank 11th in the Western Conference with a 34-37 record. It was just a year ago that Dončić led the team to the NBA Finals.

If Davis is able to return, it would provide some positivity for a reeling fan base in Dallas as the regular season nears its end.