“Luka Still Whoopin’ Him” – Lakers Fans Hit Anthony Davis With Harsh Reality Check as Mavs Superstar Reveals Potential Return Date From Injury

Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks was cleared to practice on Wednesday ahead of their NBA Emirates Cup game against the LA Lakers on Friday. Lakers fans gave Davis a harsh reality check after he mentioned that he’s targeting a return against his former team.

Speaking to reporters after practice, Davis was asked whether he would like to face either the Lakers or the LA Clippers in his return. The Mavericks have back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, but AD wants to face the purple-and-gold squad.

“That’s a real question?” Davis said, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “You know what game I want to play. But we’ll see. We’ll have a conversation and see what makes the most sense with the medical and coaching staff.”

LA Lakers fans were not having any of Anthony Davis‘ remarks, pointing to how his former team has been playing compared with the Dallas Mavericks. Others couldn’t believe that Davis continued the “tradition” of injured players making their returns against the Lakers.

Here are some of the comments on X.

Anthony Davis has missed the last 14 games after suffering an injury on Oct. 29 against the Indiana Pacers in just his fifth game of the season. He was diagnosed with a low-grade calf strain and was initially ruled out for the first two games after the injury.

However, the Mavericks took a more cautious approach, since rushing the injury could lead to a torn Achilles tendon. There were reports that then-general manager Nico Harrison was trying to rush Davis back, but he was fired on Nov. 11, just nine months after making the Luka Doncic trade.

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Anthony Davis comments on Nico Harrison’s departure as GM

Ever since Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks fans had been calling for his firing. Team governor Patrick Dumont finally listened to the frustrated fanbase and gave Harrison his pink slip.

The Mavericks also acknowledged the mistake of trading Doncic, so they’re set to move on and build around Cooper Flagg. Davis, who is close to Harrison, gave his reaction to the firing on Wednesday after practice.

“It was surprising more than anything,” Davis said, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “Nico’s my guy. He played a huge part in getting me here and wanting me to fulfill his vision that he saw. It was definitely tough.”

Davis added that he spoke to Dumont after the firing and understood why the franchise made the move.