Anthony Davis Excites Mavs Fans with Injury Return, Helps Playoff Push with Nets Win

Welcome back, Anthony Davis.

The Dallas Mavericks superstar returned from his 18-game absence due to an abductor strain on Monday, helping to lead his team to a 120-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Davis played 27 minutes in the victory after head coach Jason Kidd said he would be limited upon his return, contributing 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. But having him back was clearly a boost for the Mavs, who have been ravaged by injuries in recent months.

Dallas was just 6-12 without Davis after the shocking trade of Luka Dončić, tumbling down the standings. But Monday's victory moved them to 35-37 on the season, leaving them at least temporarily a half-game above the Phoenix Suns (34-37) for the final Play-In Tournament berth.

And Davis' return was enough to bring a bit of positivity to the discourse surrounding these Mavericks:

Even if the Mavericks get into the Play-In Tournament, any dreams of them making a deep playoff run died the moment Kyrie Irving tore his ACL. Nonetheless, the Mavericks will now have the remainder of the season to see how the rest of their core works alongside AD, valuable intel for the summer.

Given the animosity that naturally bubbled over after the inconceivable Dončić trade and the injuries that have ravaged the team down the stretch, that's at least something to build on for these Mavericks.