Anthony Davis scored the game-winning basket even with his eye stitched up after taking an elbow earlier in the game. Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Anthony Davis scored 34 points this week in the Mavericks' 120-118 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Why it matters: The Mavs are still in contention for a play-in spot in the playoffs.
Davis' performance Wednesday night was his best in the six games he's played for Dallas since he was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Mavs for Luka DonΔiΔ. The Mavs are 5-1 in the games Anthony Davis has played.
The big picture: Dallas is ninth in the Western Conference with a 38-39 record. Under the expanded NBA postseason, the 7-10 seeds compete in the play-in tournament.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are third in the conference.
Catch up quick: The Mavs were at risk of forfeiting games last month because of injuries.
Davis missed six weeks after straining his adductor in his first Dallas game.
Kyrie Irving will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to fix a knee tear.
Dereck Lively II returned Wednesday after missing 36 games due to a stress fracture.
What they're saying: Davis said he faced a "mental hurdle" letting himself play freely after his injury.
"I just made up my mind after my pregame nap, I was just going to play and just whatever happens, happens," he said.
