Mavericks assign Anthony Davis to the G League to get ready for his return.

 Mavericks assign Anthony Davis to the G League to get ready for his return.

The Dallas Mavericks have sent Anthony Davis to the Texas Legends, enabling the 10-time All-Star to practice with the G League team and engage in 5-on-5 scrimmages as he prepares to return from a strained left adductor.

Davis, the key player acquired in the contentious Luka Doncic trade, has been out since February 8. In his only game with the Mavericks, he played 31 minutes and tallied 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks before exiting early due to injury.

Sources indicate there have been talks about potentially shutting down Davis for the season; however, the superstar remains committed to making a return.

Guard Jaden Hardy, who has been sidelined for the last seven games due to a sprained ankle, has also been assigned to the Legends.

The injury-plagued Mavericks have frequently found themselves with only the league-minimum eight active players, including during Sunday’s home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Two-way players Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams are nearing their limit for active NBA games, which means the Mavs could lose two key contributors from the past month.

While Dallas has an open roster spot and qualifies for a hardship exception, they are hard-capped at the first apron of the salary cap and are too close to that limit to sign a player to a 10-day contract.