The Dallas Mavericks provided an update on Thursday regarding their All-Star acquisition, Anthony Davis, who suffered a left adductor (groin) strain during his team debut on February 8 against the Houston Rockets. The Mavericks confirmed that Davis would be reevaluated in two weeks, stating that their newly acquired star is “making good progress” following the injury.
Anthony Davis: No major setback yet, but still a concern
While the injury isn’t unexpected given that it was reported two days after the game that Davis would miss several weeks, the official update offers a bit of relief. The Mavericks are thankful that the situation doesn't involve a more severe injury or the possibility of surgery, which could have ended Davis' season and derailed the team’s playoff hopes.
The injury occurred in the third quarter of the game against Houston, when Davis attempted to guard Jalen Green in a pick-and-roll before rotating over to Alperen Sengun on a pocket pass. As he made the move, Davis collapsed with a non-contact injury and was forced to exit the game. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the night.
Initially, Davis seemed optimistic about his condition, claiming the injury wasn’t serious and expressing confidence that he would recover quickly. However, it has now been confirmed that he will miss at least two more weeks, on top of the three games he has already sat out.
Impact on the Mavericks’ rotation
The timing of this injury is particularly challenging for the Mavericks, who already have several key players sidelined. Davis joins Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford on the injured list, leaving the team without any viable starting big men. In response, Dallas has signed 7-foot-2 center Moses Brown to a 10-day contract, hoping he can provide some depth.
However, Brown is unlikely to see significant playing time, so the Mavericks may lean on small-ball lineups, with PJ Washington — who is expected to return from injury — playing center.
This situation leaves the Mavericks in a precarious position, especially as they remain just two games out of the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Head coach Jason Kidd will need to get creative with his rotations to keep the team competitive while Davis remains sidelined.
The Trade that shocked the league
Dallas' decision to trade their franchise star, Luka Doncic, to the Lakers in exchange for a package centered around Anthony Davis has sent shockwaves through the league. While Davis showed promise in his brief appearance for Dallas, his recurring injury issues have raised concerns about the trade’s long-term impact. Doncic's move to the Lakers has also been a painful reminder for Mavericks fans, particularly with Davis now sidelined for an extended period.
As the Mavericks try to navigate this injury crisis, the looming presence of Doncic in a Lakers uniform will only amplify the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future. The fallout from this trade may continue to affect Dallas for years to come.