The Anthony Davis experience in a Dallas Mavericks uniform lasted just 31 minutes against the Houston Rockets on February 8 before the blockbuster acquisition picked up an adductor injury. Davis hasn’t played since that game, although he looked phenomenal in his debut. The Mavericks are contenders if Davis is healthy, and it seems like he’s progressing quickly toward a return.
The Mavericks have released an official update on Davis’ health, with a return timeline to be made clear after he’s re-evaluated in two weeks.
“Dallas Mavericks say Anthony Davis (adductor strain) is progressing well and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.”
Davis put up 26 points (10-18 FG), 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in 31 minutes of action in his debut. The Mavericks won that game 116-105, showing the fans how competitive the team could be with Davis on the roster. Unfortunately, Davis’ health has been a major question for most of his career.
He had two years from 2023 to 2025 where he played 93% of all games, shattering the ‘day-to-day’ narratives that plagued him for most of his Lakers tenure. This absence came at a bad time, as all eyes were on the Mavericks after they traded franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic with Davis as the specific player they targeted.
He’s averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2,2 blocks this season. His play was crucial in keeping the Lakers competitive for most of the season, although the team has looked solid without Davis and winning at an even higher clip now.
The Mavericks are 2-1 since Davis’ injury, maximizing whatever they can get amidst a team-wide injury crisis.
The Mavericks Need To Stay Competitive Despite Major Injuries
The Mavericks are managing to stay afloat despite a widespread injury crisis on the roster.
Davis is one of the four capable centers to be out with a long-term absence, with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II expected to be out until the tail-end of the regular season, if not the start of the Playoffs. Even Dwight Powell is out with a hip injury at the moment.
Davis will have to return and play center despite his wishes to be a power forward. However, he’ll likely be happy to do so right now knowing both Gafford and Lively will be returning to take that load off him in the Playoffs.
It’s not just the centers who are hurt, as PJ Washington has been the team’s starting power forward all year but has dealt with multiple injury absences and is currently out with an ankle injury. Winter acquisition Caleb Martin is yet to make his debut for the Mavericks either, also out with a hip injury and expected to remain out for four weeks.
This is a tough situation not only for Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd but also for point guard Kyrie Irving.
Irving has had to carry the Mavericks’ offense in light of these injuries and Doncic’s departure. Funnily, he was playing through a back injury awaiting Doncic’s return, but instead, he’s had to average 27.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 40.5 minutes in the last seven games.
Kidd has been getting the most out of his players in recent games, winning four of their last five games, but that trend needs to continue for a good chunk of March. They’re 30-26 for the No. 8 seed right now, so they can’t afford to slip up and lose position when they ideally would’ve wanted to be a top-six seed.
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