Powell returns from injury, Mavericks receive inside support, and their confidence increases against the Lakers

On February 26, the Dallas Mavericks faced the Los Angeles Lakers. What attracted much attention was not only the competition between the two teams, but also the return of Mavericks center Dwight Powell . The inside player missed 16 games due to a hip sprain. He returned to the court for the first time since the injury on January 18 , bringing much-needed defense and vitality to the Mavericks' inside line .

Powell's presence on the defensive end and his ability to run without the ball on the offensive end have always been an important part of the Mavericks' lineup. In the 16 games he was absent, the Mavericks exposed a lot of problems in interior defense and rebounding protection. Although Christian Wood and young player Derrick Jones tried their best to fill the vacancy, Powell's experience and vitality are still urgently needed by the team.

Powell averaged 6.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. He is not a player with gorgeous statistics, but his ability to screen, fight and assist in the basket is an indispensable part of the Mavericks system. Especially when facing a team with strong inside strength like the Lakers, Powell's return is particularly critical.

In this game, the Lakers will send out the inside combination of Anthony Davis and Jackson Hayes. Powell needs to provide more help on the defensive end to limit Davis' performance. The Lakers are in good shape recently, especially in the lineup adjustment after the trade deadline, and the overall offense and defense have improved significantly.

Powell's return not only enhances the Mavericks' inside depth, but also provides better screens and space for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Mavericks coach Kidd said in an interview before the game: "Powell's return is a huge improvement for us. His defense and selflessness will help the team contribute at critical moments."

The Mavericks have been frequently affected by injuries in recent years, but the team's medical team's recovery speed is impressive, and the nickname "Hua Tuo Team" has come from this. Before Powell's return, the Mavericks have already welcomed back players such as Maxi Kleber and Josh Green who were absent due to injuries. Now with Powell's return, the team is more complete and is expected to gain an advantage in the fierce competition for playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Powell's playing time may be limited in this game against the Lakers, but his role in the critical moment cannot be ignored. His pick-and-roll cooperation and defensive positioning will directly affect the Mavericks' tactical execution. If he can provide efficient defense and rebounds in a limited time, the Mavericks are expected to win this important victory at home.

In general, Powell's return has injected new vitality into the Mavericks, and the efficient medical performance of the "Hua Tuo Team" has also allowed the team to retain a more complete lineup at the critical stage of the season. Tonight against the Lakers, whether Powell can become the "X factor" of the Mavericks is worth looking forward to.