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Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shoots as the Mavericks’ Willie Cauley-Stein, left, Jalen Brunson, center, and Kristaps Porzingis defend during the second half of Thursday’s game in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis gestures during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis handles the ball during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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The Lakers’ Anthony Davis reaches out for a pass as the Mavericks’ Dorian Finney-Smith defends during the first half of Thursday night’s game in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) works to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell defends as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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The Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, left, works against the Lakers’ Dennis Schroder during the first half of Thursday’s game in Dallas. Saturday’s rematch will have potential tiebreaker implications for playoff seedings. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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The Lakers’ Anthony Davis works against the Mavericks’ Dorian Finney-Smith, center, and Luka Doncic as he tries to take a shot during the first half of Thursday night’s game in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James watches from the bench as the team plays the Dallas Mavericks in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) goes up to shoot as Los Angeles Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker, right, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis, Ben McLemore, Kyle Kuzma, front, and Dennis Schroeder watch play in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker (5) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis prepares for the start of the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis, left, is by Los Angeles Lakers’ Montrezl Harrell, center, as Talen Horton-Tucker (5) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis (6) gets past Los Angeles Lakers’ Dennis Schroeder (17) and Anthony Davis (3) for a dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Andre Drummond (2) and Kyle Kuzma defend as Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (3) talks with Montrezl Harrell (15) as they walk up court I the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Andre Drummond (2) and Dennis Schroeder, right, combine to strip the ball from Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Dennis Schroeder works against Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis gestures down court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Willie Cauley-Stein #33 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Markieff Morris #88 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Tim Hardaway Jr. #11 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Willie Cauley-Stein #33 of the Dallas Mavericks makes the slam dunk against Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis gestures as he watches play against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks is fouled by Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks is fouled by Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis watch play during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 22, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis greet each other after an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
As the buzzer sounded above him, Anthony Davis shuffled off to the baseline, kicking the display screen as if he had already lost.
LeBron James, clad in street clothes, received him as Davis shook his head and looked up at the scoreboard. There were still 24 minutes to play, but the 28-year-old All-Star’s night was done. His expression was glum, as if he had just been the last cut from the varsity squad.
It had been an up-and-down 17 minutes preceding that moment, and Davis’ emotions seemed to rise and fall with his game. Warming up in the layup line, his giddiness was visible, and the playful jawing with the Mavericks bench drew grins from both teams.
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Davis said. “I mean, I was upset that I was missing shots that I normally make, so that was probably the most frustrating part.”
There’s a long way to go, as Davis showed in a rusty 2-for-10 shooting night after his two-month, 30-game injury layoff. And there’s plenty of work to do for the Lakers, who were blitzed by the Mavericks and their multi-faceted young star Luka Doncic, 115-110. They’ll get another crack at Dallas on Saturday, but Davis’ mere presence clearly won’t make it simple to win.
“Any time you integrate a player of that caliber,” Coach Frank Vogel said, “there’s gonna be an adjustment period.”
They had their chances, thanks to efforts like the one given by point guard Dennis Schröder, who fouled out with 18.3 seconds left having emptied his clip: 25 points and 13 assists. But the Lakers missed six shots in the last 2½ minutes of the game when they were already behind, and could not catch up when they fouled out of desperation.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a season-best 29 points, including six 3-pointers. But the game’s best player was Doncic, the gear-shifting, sleek-passing Slovenian who racked up 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
During one second-quarter stretch, Doncic helped engineer a run when the Mavericks dunked on three consecutive possessions, despite sharing the floor with Davis and Andre Drummond, the Lakers’ two best rim protectors.
The result sets up a season series rubber match on Saturday, when the Lakers could have the benefit of more minutes from Davis, and the Mavericks could have the disadvantage of no Kristaps Porzingis (19 points). The Latvian twisted his ankle in the third quarter and did not return. Coach Rick Carlisle later said he didn’t think the injury was too serious.
It took Davis six attempts to hit his first shot, a high-arcing jumper from near the free-throw line. He shook his head afterward, as if to say: about time. But all in all, his conditioning held up better than he thought.
“My wind felt better than I expected,” he said. “I got good looks; I missed. That comes with game reps. But I felt good out there.”
Davis had more consistent success on defense, where he blocked the jump-shot of the 7-foot-3 Porzingis, and in a subsequent possession smothered Doncic to force a late shot. But overall the Lakers couldn’t figure out how to take advantage of their returned star – who has been laid up with a right calf injury – as Dallas outscored them by 11 in his minutes.
The biggest upset of the evening was Davis pressing his own coach to stay out on the court. While Vogel had outlined a 15-minute restriction, Davis checked back in with four minutes left in the second quarter after he had already played 13 – with a mischievous look plastered on his face. He later explained that the recommendation was a range between 15 and 20 minutes.
But that second half was hard, as he was stuck on the bench in a gray hoodie. Patience will have to be a virtue in the coming weeks, as the Lakers (currently fifth in the Western Conference standings) try to win to stay out of the play-in slot at No. 7, but be responsible with Davis’ minutes.
“No matter where we fall in the playoffs, we’re going to come out and I think we’re going to be a challenge for anybody and that’s how we look at it big-picture, obviously,” Davis said. “But we still want to make sure that we control our own destiny and be able to make the playoffs one through six and not fall to that seven through 10.”
In the third quarter, the Lakers looked as if they might not need Davis to win. It took them less than two minutes to erase the 11-point halftime gap, as Schröder scored 14 points in the third quarter alone. Vogel called it “arguably his best game as a Laker.”
One huge margin was on the free-throw line: The Mavericks attempted 36 to the Lakers’ 17, and in addition to Schröder, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Drummond were all in foul trouble.
Afterward Schröder rejected Vogel’s plaudits.
“If it’s my best game of the season, then I’m going out with a W,” he said. “So, it wasn’t good enough.”
“It was just fun to be out there again, long time coming so I was just excited to be out there.” @AntDavis23 on how he felt to be back on the floor. pic.twitter.com/If1orLipQK
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 23, 2021
First basket back — of course it’s a mid-range jumper
(
: @SpectrumSN, TNT) pic.twitter.com/7bEMJExqND
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 23, 2021
“This was arguably his best game as a Laker.” Frank Vogel on Dennis Schröder’s performance and what he saw from @AntDavis23 tonight. pic.twitter.com/N79BfOHVRw
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 23, 2021
“It was a surreal moment for me, it felt like we were kids again playing USA basketball.” @AndreDrummond on playing alongside @AntDavis23. pic.twitter.com/XsxCGlACK1
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 23, 2021
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