Grading Anthony Davis' long-awaited return to Mavericks’ lineup versus Nets

The Dallas Mavericks played in what felt like their easiest win in months, as Anthony Davis' return to action gave the Mavericks a 10-man lineup as well as a superstar back in their rotation en route to a 120-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets. There was quiet optimism that Davis was going to return on Dallas' four-game road trip, but it was relatively surprising to see a report midday on Monday that Davis was going to be active versus the Nets.

The rest of the Mavericks played well in conjunction with Davis in his return, as Dallas had seven players in double figures in the contest. It was apparent that there was a different energy from the Mavericks compared to usual inside of Barclays Center during this game, as the Mavericks were playing with a sense of conviction after being undermanned and undersized for so long recently, and it was great to see regardless if one believes that Davis should've came back this season or not,

Davis' second game with the Mavericks wasn't quite as electrifying as his first game against the Houston Rockets on February 8, but Davis had a steady performance and his presence alone clearly boosted the morale of the squad. With that being said, we'll now grade Anthony Davis' long awaited return to Dallas' lineup.

Grading Anthony Davis' return to Dallas' lineup versus the Nets

Davis started the game off with two easy buckets, which set the tone for the steady presence that he brought to Dallas' lineup in roughly 26 minutes of action. Davis was playing the four in most of Dallas' lineups, but just like versus the Rockets in early February, he showed that his skill as a big man is at a high enough level to play-make in the middle of the floor alongside another big.

Even though Davis went 0-2 from beyond the arc in this game, he still is a decent enough threat from outside to where he will draw a hand up on most occasions in the regular season, and Dallas' spacing on offense hasn't been compromised whatsoever by playing Davis at power forward in his two games with the organization thus far.

Davis complemented Dallas' other pieces very well in this contest, even if Dallas' offensive inflation in this game can partially be accredited to playing a 23-49 Nets team that is far from their full strength currently. It was clear Davis wasn't trying to be overly assertive in this game, but he provided a solid rebounding presence with six boards and collected a solid block in this game, not to mention that opposing players were more hesitant than usual to attack the rim on Dallas compared to the last couple of months.

Offensively, Davis went 6-9 from the floor for 12 points, even though he was on a 28-minute restriction in this contest and the Mavericks were clearly trying to ease him back onto the court. Davis made multiple tough long two's in this game, and through two games in Dallas thus far, he's proving that he can provide some tertiary shot creation alongside his ability as a play finisher and post threat.

Davis is without a doubt one of the most complete bigs in the entire NBA, and even if the Mavericks made a colossal mistake by trading a 25-year-old Luka Doncic for a 32-year-old Davis, that's not to say that Davis can't be the best player on a championship caliber team when fully healthy and dialed in. Of course, Davis and the Mavericks have a long ways to go before that seems like a calculable possibility given Kyrie Irving's torn ACL, but Davis is one of the league's best competitors and Mavericks fans shouldn't be surprised at all to see him make a push to return to play despite the risk of re-injury as well as the Mavericks currently being on the fringes of the play-in race in the West.