Mavs’ Davis outshined by Doncic, Reaves in return to L.A.

LOS ANGELES — It had been almost a month since Anthony Davis last played for the Dallas Mavericks, but his former coach, JJ Redick, promised before the game to give the 10-time All-Star the “required level of attention” when Davis returned Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.

That was evident from the first time Davis touched the ball, when a second Lakers defender turned toward him, setting the tone.

Davis, who had been out since Oct. 29 with a left calf strain, finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in the Mavs’ 129-119 loss to the Lakers. He made 6 of 10 shots and did not attempt a free throw in 28 minutes, slightly exceeding the minutes restriction that had been set.

“We weren’t really trying to force anything,” Davis said. “They were kind of double teaming every time I caught the ball. As soon as I caught it and turned around, I had two guys in front of me. I was just trying to make the right play with the pass. The shots [will] come at me when I have the opportunity to score, but the pace will get there.”

Lakers fans gave Davis a warm round of applause when his name was called during pregame introductions. It was the first game he played at Crypto.com Arena since being traded in the shocking Feb. 2 blockbuster deal that delivered Luka Doncic to Los Angeles.

Doncic, who said matchups with the Mavs will always have “a special meaning to me,” turned in another spectacular performance that seems standard for him, scoring 35 points and dishing out 11 assists.

Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves was arguably the best player on the court Friday, scoring 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting before trading jerseys after the game with former teammate Davis.

“He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball,” Reaves said of Davis. “I don’t know why he wanted my jersey, but for me to get his is kind of fun. … I have a lot of love for AD. That’s a big reason why [I am] where I am at the moment. From day one he told me to be myself, not to be someone else. Keep working and truly be myself on the pitch. So I owe him a lot. »

Davis’ tenure in Dallas has been difficult, as injuries have limited him to just 15 games plus a few play-in outings since the trade, ultimately leading to the firing of Mavs general manager Nico Harrison earlier this month.

Davis will not play Saturday night against the LA Clippers as the Mavs continue to take a cautious approach with him.

Davis said he felt ready to return a few weeks ago and that his personal medical team cleared him to play against the Washington Wizards. But after Dallas Director of Health and Performance Johann Bilsborough expressed concern, Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont stepped in to pause Davis’ return plan until medical data indicated there was no risk of a worsening calf strain or related catastrophic injury.

Meanwhile, the Mavs were floundering at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They are 5-15 after Friday’s loss.

“Every time you sit there and see these guys, especially in close games, you wish you could be there,” Davis said. “As a leader, you want to go. It’s a competitive nature to go and help these guys, but now I have the opportunity to do it.”

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.