Anthony Davis has been assigned to the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate, but despite initial speculation, he will not be playing in the NBA’s developmental league.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Instead, this move is a standard part of his rehabilitation as he recovers from a left adductor strain.

Davis, who joined the Mavericks in a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, has been sidelined since Feb. 8.

In his Mavericks debut, he delivered a dominant performance with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 31 minutes before exiting with the injury. Now, with Dallas battling for a postseason spot, it may look to reintegrate its star big man before the season concludes.

Assigning injured NBA players to a G League affiliate for rehab is a common practice. It allows them to participate in full-contact scrimmages in a controlled environment, helping them regain game conditioning without the intensity of an NBA matchup.

The Golden State Warriors have notably used this approach with stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in recent years, while other teams have done the same for players coming off extended absences.

For the Mavericks, this move ensures Davis can ramp up his fitness while the team navigates a road-heavy schedule. Rather than waiting for sporadic practice opportunities, he can take part in structured, high-intensity workouts with the Legends.

According to the G League transaction portal, Davis was assigned for practice on March 17 and recalled the same day after completing the session. This strategy minimizes disruption to the Mavericks rotation while maximizing his recovery timeline.

Through 43 games this season — primarily with the Lakers — Davis has averaged 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field. He earned his 10th All-Star selection this year and remains one of the league’s most impactful two-way players when healthy.

However, his return comes at a crucial juncture. The Mavericks, currently 10th in the Western Conference at 33-36, occupy the final play-in spot. The Phoenix Suns are just one game back and Dallas has lost three straight, further complicating its postseason push.

With Kyrie Irving ruled out for the season and other injuries depleting the roster, Davis’ comeback could determine whether the Mavericks can hold onto their play-in position — or risk missing the playoffs altogether.