Anthony Davis has 34 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 stitches in best game for Mavs

DALLAS (AP) — It came to Anthony Davis following his pregame nap Wednesday afternoon that he would finally play all out for the Dallas Mavericks that night against the Atlanta Hawks and finally put the adductor strain that sidelined him Feb. 8 for six weeks out of his mind.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Davis said. “Just go out there and play with a lot of energy, a lot of force, a lot of dominance.”

Dominate he did. The 10-time All-Star had 34 points (his most in six games with Dallas), 15 rebounds and five blocks (also a Dallas best) despite missing most of the second quarter after taking an elbow above his right eye as the Mavericks rallied from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Hawks 120-118.

“We go as he goes,” Mavericks guard Klay Thompson said. “He’s obviously our best player.”

Davis had 13 points in the first period, and scored the game’s final points on a driving floater with 3.4 seconds left. He moved to his left, shooting with his right hand.

“A shot that I’ve been shooting for a long time,” he said. “It’s a shot I’m very confident in.”

Davis spent time laying on the floor at the end of the first period after being struck by teammate Daniel Gafford and was taken to the locker room. He returned two minutes before halftime with a bandage over the eye having gotten four stitches.

“Probably my first time getting cut open,” Davis said. “Us Chicago kids are pretty tough.”

The game finished with Davis back on the floor, crashing into the scorer’s table after defending Atlanta’s final shot. Trae Young, who scored 25 points but only four in the second half, was short on a 26-foot 3-pointer with Davis lunging toward him.

A Mavericks team that a few weeks ago appeared headed for the lottery and was in danger of not meeting the NBA minimum for active players because of a flood of injuries sits ninth in the Western Conference with a 2 1/2-game cushion over 11th-place Phoenix with five games to play.

They lost nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving on March 3 to a season-ending knee injury. Superstar Luka Doncic played his last game for the Mavericks on Christmas Day, and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1 in the deal that brought Davis to Dallas. Then Davis was injured in his Dallas debut.

Davis returned last week and was joined this week by injured big men Daniel Gafford (out since Feb. 10) and Dereck Lively II (out since Jan. 14).

“With the guys we have, we definitely have enough to make some noise,” Davis said.

Davis remains on a minutes restriction, raised to 32 on Wednesday night. He played 30, missing the first 10 minutes of the second quarter.

“It’s good to see that he’s starting to get in a rhythm,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He was assertive from the beginning.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) takes the last shot of the game against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) watches his shot score as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) grabs him and Onyeka Okongwu (17) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts to dunking against Atlanta Hawks forwards Onyeka Okongwu during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) questions a call by referee Mousa Dagher, center, as head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis lays on the floor after getting injured during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) keeps the ball from Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis sits after getting inured during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The last time Philip Rivers suited up inside Lucas Oil Stadium, he and his Indianapolis Colts teammates clinched a playoff spot.

A lot has changed in those five years.

Rivers left the NFL, started coaching high school football in Alabama, became a grandfather and shocked the world by coming out of retirement and nearly leading the Colts to a victory last week in Seattle.

He returned to his former team with old friend Shane Steichen calling the plays for a franchise under new ownership. And on Monday night, he'll be playing in front of a near capacity home crowd — something he didn't get to do during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year.

Still, two things have not changed: Rivers remains stuck on 134 career wins and the Colts haven't reached the playoffs since he was Indy's starter the last time. The 44-year-old quarterback believes he can achieve both over the next three weeks or he wouldn't be playing.

“I know the NFL is a big deal and this, and it can be whatever it can be,” Rivers said after rejoining the Colts. "But to me, it’s like ‘Hey, you get to play football, potentially, for four more weeks and maybe then some.’ And as long as I can live with the results, both good or bad, and go back home and move on, then I was willing to go for it, and I was able to get to that place mentally.”

While many around the league — from Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons — lauded Rivers' effort to make a comeback, most were intrigued to see how Rivers would play.

Yes, he does have some physical limitations, and, yes, concerns about his mobility, his ability to throw deep and the long layoff prompted Steichen to take a safer approach in last week's 18-16 loss at Seattle.

While Indy leaned heavily on its ground game and a short passing game to protect Rivers from taking needless hits, he still went 18 of 27 with 120 yards and threw an interception on Indy's final offensive play.

The Colts (8-6) lost their fourth straight game to remain one spot outside the AFC's seven-team playoff field, and Rivers acknowledged this week he must be better over the final three games to save Indy's fading playoff hopes.

Still, the 49ers (10-4) know what they're up against. Three years ago, when San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan was looking for stability at quarterback, he reached out to Rivers. Because the need didn't actually arise until the NFC championship game, Rivers never signed.

But after studying last week's tape, Shanahan believes Rivers still has what it takes.

“I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone,” Shanahan said. "I think he had 27 throws in that game and every ball goes right to the exact spot. He attacked their coverages great. He played against a very good pass rush and was able to get rid of the ball. He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched, and he definitely helped that team.”

This week might not look much different despite Rivers getting a full week of practice and an extra day to study game tape.

The reason: San Francisco has struggled recently against the run because of a rash of injuries to its front seven. But Steichen and Rivers both acknowledged this week that Indy needs to be more aggressive this week.

Can Rivers get it done at his age? Only time will tell.

“I don't really feel any limitations pushing the ball down the field. I'm not going to throw it 60 yards, but I can't name many times that I did that anyway," Rivers said Thursday. "Obviously, the name of the game is winning and so, obviously, we moved past (last week's game) and I know the guys have been great already this week.

"We'll be fired up for this one on Monday night.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a catch past Tennessee Titans cornerback Kaiir Elam (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks along the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)