Anthony Davis Leads Mavericks to Victory with Career-High Performance Amid Trade Controversy

Regardless of the controversy surrounding the Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade Luka Dončić, the team has found success with Anthony Davis in the lineup, going 5-1 since his return. On Wednesday, Davis had his best performance yet, scoring a career-high 34 points on 14-of-23 shooting, adding 15 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 2 assists in a 120-118 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. The game ended with Davis driving past Onyeka Okongwu to hit a game-winning floater.

The game featured 13 lead changes, and the Mavericks overcame an 11-point deficit in the third quarter, though they nearly lost their own double-digit lead in the fourth. Davis' clutch shot sealed the win.

Prior to Wednesday, Davis had not scored more than 18 points since returning from injury. Although he took a hard elbow to the face during the game, he quickly returned to the court. 

Davis was the key piece in the trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in what became one of the most controversial deals in NBA history. The trade led to widespread criticism of Dallas and general manager Nico Harrison. However, Davis had no control over the situation and was welcomed warmly by Mavericks fans when he made his debut. His debut was cut short by a left adductor strain, which sidelined him for over a month, complicating the Mavericks’ situation after making a bold, franchise-altering move.

While Davis was injured, the Mavericks were plagued by more injuries, and by the time he returned, the team had little to play for. Kyrie Irving is out for the season, and the team is still missing several key players. With a 38-39 record, the Mavericks currently hold a play-in spot, but many don’t expect them to make a deep playoff run. However, they have shown improvement since Davis returned, securing wins over the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.