Anthony Davis scores 4 points in limited return from calf strain

Anthony Davis is back, though it may take a few games for him to play his usual minutes at his usual effectiveness.

The Los Angeles Lakers star returned to the court Thursday after missing more than two months with a right calf strain that had also been reported as Achilles tendonitis. Playing under a minutes restriction against the Dallas Mavericks, Davis started for the Lakers for the first time since Feb. 14.

Davis was rusty in his return, scoring only four points on 2-of-10 shooting with four rebounds in 16 minutes, all in the first half. His first basket back looked like the Anthony Davis of old, though:

He also had a defensive highlight, using his considerable reach to intercept a pass:

He wasn't exactly pleased when he reached the end of his minute restriction though.

The Lakers would eventually fall to the Mavericks 115-110.

Having Davis back, even if limited, is step 1 for the Lakers to get the ball rolling again in a season with hopes of a championship repeat. LeBron James remains out due to a right ankle sprain, having last appeared in a game on March 20, but recently graduated to light work on the court and could be nearing a return as well.

The Lakers went 7-9 with both players out. With the NBA playoffs scheduled to begin next month, the clock is ticking for them to both reach 100 percent.

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