AD returns from 18-game absence in win over Nets

Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis returned from an 18-game absence in Monday’s 120-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Davis was in the starting lineup but was restricted to 27 minutes of action. He posted 12 points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in the contest.

“Physically I felt great,” Davis said postgame, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “It’s the mental aspect when you’re coming back from something like that. To mentally be ready to go out and play. I was mentally ready. But then getting into game action where you can’t anticipate what the other team is going to do. I overcame that in the first minute or so. From there, it was just about being smart.”

Davis will be rested on the second night of a back-to-back Tuesday against the New York Knicks, sources told NBA insider Marc Stein.

The 32-year-old suffered an adductor strain in his Mavericks debut Feb. 8 after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic the other way.

Davis had been rehabbing over the last week with the Mavericks’ G League affiliate to prepare for game action. Dallas went 6-12 in his absence and fell to 11th place in the Western Conference.

“It was tough seeing these guys battling every single night,” Davis said. “Winning close games, losing close games, blowing teams out, getting blown out. They are laying it on the line. For me, it was never a thought about if I was going to come back and play. Especially if I was healthy.”

The Mavericks lost Kyrie Irving and Olivier-Maxence Prosper to season-ending injuries while Davis was out. Big men Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are also sidelined with no return dates.

“Seeing these guys playing with seven guys,” Davis said. “Guys playing 38, 40 minutes … added a little bit more motivation for me. I was already motivated to get back. But it added a little bit more motivation seeing those guys battle each and every night and leaving it on the floor. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to come back.”

Davis played just over 30 minutes in his first game with Dallas and contributed 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks prior to getting hurt.

He was averaging 25.7 points, 12 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and three blocks through 43 games this season ahead of Monday’s contest.

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