[Stein] League sources say Anthony Davis is increasingly likely to make his return to the floor during the Mavericks' upcoming swing through the Eastern Conference.
A specific game for Davis' comeback has not yet been locked in, sources said, but the nine-time NBA All-Star forward has progressed to the point that he is nearing clearance to be reinstated to the active roster after participating in five-on-five play twice this week with the Mavericks' Texas Legends affiliate in the NBA G League.
Davis, sources say, is the closest of the Mavericks' injured veterans to being activated. Fellow sidelined big men Lively (right ankle) and Gafford (right knee) returned to 3-on-3 activities this week, while newly acquired swingman Caleb Martin has again been derailed by a right hip injury after appearing in five games.
It has become clear, though, that Davis wants to play again this season no matter what, whether that's to try to douse some of the heat directed at the Mavericks and Harrison or just to seek reassurance that the non-surgical route chosen to deal with the adductor injury was the right one.