Anthony Davis said he felt great after making his return for the Dallas Mavericks in their 120-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. 

Davis, who had been absent from the Mavericks for the last six weeks with a groin injury, finished the contest with 12 points and six rebounds from 26 minutes of play. 

Naji Marshall led the Mavs with 22 points, while P.J. Washington and Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 16 each, Brandon Williams scored 15, and Kai Jones added 13.

The result saw Dallas improve to 35-37, and they are 11th in the Western Conference, with Davis' return a huge boost ahead of the closing stages of the season. 

"Physically, I felt great," Davis said. "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. Obviously, I'm on a minutes restriction."

Let’s go big fella @AntDavis23 // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/iqob7S3g1C

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 24, 2025

The Mavs have struggled in recent weeks with a number of their star players being sidelined through injury. 

Kyrie Irving (torn ACL), Daniel Gafford (knee sprain), Dante Exum (fractured hand) and Caleb Martin (hip strain) are some of the most notable names on the injury table. 

"It was tough seeing these guys battling every single night. Winning close games," Davis said. "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. We are undermanned.

"Guys are hurt. Gafford. Lively. Kyrie goes out. It was tough. Guys were leaving it on the floor.

"Guys laying on the floor in the locker room afterwards just gassed - to the point of exhaustion. There was no doubt I was going to come back and play.

"That makes you want to come out and play with these guys. Leave it on the floor and battle each and every night.

"As one of the leaders of the team, I just wanted to go out there and give them a breather at least."

MAVS WIN!!!@Chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/LgbgZSVcur

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 25, 2025

Irving's injury, in particular, was a devastating blow to the Mavericks, as he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament after landing awkwardly against the Sacramento Kings. 

After Irving shot a pair of free throws while clearly in immense pain, Davis was one of the people who helped him off the floor.

Now out for the season and likely to miss some of the next campaign as well, Irving was with the team in Brooklyn, where he spent four years playing for the Nets. 

"It was devastating," Davis said of Irving's injury. "Kyrie is a phenomenal basketball player, but even more phenomenal human.

"Any time anyone goes through something like that, an injury like that, it always sucks. Obviously, the initial injury, the initial moment, you want to give him space.

"Then he came back to the locker room. Got everything out of his system. Now, he's excited about the rehab process.

"He's in a good headspace now ... to see him in a great headspace, it's good for our team. Good for me. And, I'm pretty sure, good for him. Obviously, it sucks.

"But we have to hold the fort down for this season and into next season, until he's ready to come back."