The Dallas Mavericks host the LA Clippers in a crucial NBA Cup group stage matchup on Friday night, with both teams desperate to stop their early-season slides.

The Dallas Mavericks have afforded Anthony Davis a luxury that they apparently never gave to Luka Dončić during his tenure with the club.

The Dallas Mavericks left the door open for Anthony Davis' return against the Clippers on Friday night before deciding.

The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard (right ankle sprain) and Bradley Beal (left hip fracture). Beal is set for season-ending surgery, while Leonard has only played in six games this year, which doesn't help all of the accusations about the Clippers navigating around the salary cap to give Leonard more money through that Aspiration company.

Just nine months after Nico Harrison stunned the NBA world by trading Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks may already be preparing to move on from the All-Star big man.