The Dallas Mavericks’ season has taken a disastrous turn. With Luka Dončić traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis was brought in to help Kyrie Irving lead the team to the playoffs. However, the Mavericks’ hopes have been dashed by a series of unfortunate injuries.
In February, Davis suffered an injury during a game against the Houston Rockets, sidelining him for several weeks shortly after the trade. Just as the Mavs were hoping for his return, the team lost Irving to a season-ending injury, compounding their struggles. Now, reports suggest that Mavericks fans may have to brace for more bad news.
Anthony Davis ‘Very Possibly’ Out For Rest Of Season
NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Friday, March 7, that Davis is “very likely” to miss the rest of the season. Charania explained that while Davis continues his rehab, his return depends on whether he can fully recover without risking further injury and whether the Mavericks are still in the playoff race.
“It’s very possible that Anthony Davis has played his last game this season for the Mavericks,” Charania said. “But I’m told that he’s continuing to go through his rehab to see if there’s a potential window for return late in the season.
“But there are two very tricky factors at play here. On one side, with Anthony Davis, this is a soft tissue injury, so they need to ensure he’s 100% and doesn’t risk further injuries. On the other side is where the Mavs will be in the standings. If they are still in the playoff picture, does it make sense to bring him back?”
The Mavericks face a delicate situation. With the playoffs on the line and Irving already out for the season, rushing Davis back could be risky. At the same time, Davis was brought in to be the cornerstone of the team’s future, and the organization must weigh the risk of further injury against their postseason hopes.
“As an organization, they have to weigh the risk-reward of Anthony Davis playing,” Charania continued. “Potentially in meaningless or play-in games late this season, because what this trade set up, Luka Dončić leaving, AD coming in—it’s a three-year title window for AD and Kyrie Irving. They do have a talented roster, but it starts with Anthony Davis being healthy.”
Initially hailed as the future of the Mavericks following the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers, Davis had a great debut for Dallas. In his first game with the franchise, he put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists, showing Mavs fans a glimpse of what the future could hold. Unfortunately, that promise was short-lived, as Davis suffered a strain during that very same game and hasn’t played since.
Davis and Irving aren’t the only players the Mavericks have lost to injury. Center Dereck Lively II has missed 23 games with a right ankle stress fracture, while Daniel Gafford has been sidelined for nine games due to a right knee sprain.
Currently, the Mavericks are sitting 10th in the Western Conference with a 32-32 record, holding a narrow three-game lead over the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot.
With the playoffs slipping further out of reach, the Mavs must make a tough decision about whether to bring back Davis this season or focus on ensuring he’s fully healthy for future seasons.