Anthony Davis only played three quarters of basketball with the Dallas Mavericks before picking up an injury that’s kept him sidelined since February 8.

The Mavericks have gone through much more since that moment, including Kyrie Irving’s season-ending injury that destroyed Dallas’ hopes of making it to the postseason.

With Davis nearing a return to the court, NBA reporter Tim MacMahon reported on Wednesday’s edition of “NBA Today” that the big man is eager to return despite some within the organization pushing him to sit out the rest of the season since Kyrie Irving isn’t healthy for a playoff run.

Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 8, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Logan Riely/Getty Images

“He is steadfast in his determination to want to return this season,” MacMahon said. “Maybe as soon as next week despite the fact there are people within the Mavericks organization that have tried to talk him out of it… There are people who’d rather shut him down for the season. AD is not trying to hear all that.”

Anthony Davis was set to help Irving and the Mavericks compete for the 2025 NBA championship after a blockbuster deal sent him to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic.

The 2020 NBA champion had a strong start with the Mavs, recording a double-double with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 31 minutes. He shot 10-of-18 from the field, including 2-of-2 from deep.

Davis made Mavericks fans dream until he sustained a no-contact injury that sounded the alarms within the organization. He can still make an impact on the No. 10 seed Mavericks, but without Kyrie Irving, Dallas doesn’t look like a real threat to the rest of the West.

The big man was designated to the G League to prepare for his return and the date appears to be closer by the day.