The NBA returns this Saturday to Mexico City with a duel between the Dallas Mavericks and the Detroit Pistons, but the big question mark hangs over Anthony Davis, who could miss the game due to a leg injury suffered midweek.

The 32-year-old was injured in the first Davis was injured in the fourth game against the Indiana Pacers, and his progress has been monitored daily since then. “AD is day-to-day,” explained Dallas coach Jason Kidd during practice at Arena Ciudad de Mexico, without offering further details about the severity of the injury. Davis, a 10-time All-Star and one of the league's biggest names, has had a career plagued by injuries. After being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Doncic last season, he missed 18 games and was only able to play in the final eight, in a season where the Mavericks missed the playoffs. “I feel better, that’s for sure,” commented Davis himself, optimistic but cautious. The situation worries the coaching staff, especially since the roster is already suffering losses in the paint: Derek Lively II has missed the last two games with a knee sprain, while Daniel Gafford has yet to make his debut after injuring his ankle at the start of training camp. Mexico, familiar territory for Dallas. This Saturday's game will mark the fifteenth regular season game that the NBA has organized in the Mexican capital. Of those, four have featured the Mavericks, the most for any franchise in the league. “It’s incredible for the organization to come here so often. Mexico is a very important market, and we love bringing fun to the fans,” said Kidd, who played in one of those games in 2016, when Dallas beat Phoenix. The coach also recalled the unique conditions of playing at 7,500 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level, more than 2,000 feet (600 meters) higher than Denver, the highest city in the NBA. “You get tired very quickly; the lack of oxygen is noticeable right away,” he joked. On the other side, Pistons coach John-Blair Bickerstaff,He assured that the Mexican public “will fall in love with the hard-hitting style” of his team. He highlighted the evolution of a young group led by Cade Cunningham, accompanied by Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson, whom he described as “versatile players with great physical intensity.” Cunningham, for his part, was excited to debut in front of the Mexican fans. “It’s incredible to be here. I’ve never played in Mexico before, and I want to put on a great show,” he stated. For the young star, these games are an opportunity to continue expanding the global reach of basketball. “The NBA represents the highest level of the game, and taking it around the world helps everyone, not just American basketball,” he concluded.