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Anthony Davis dominated, then exited with an injury in his highly anticipated debut in Dallas.
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Anthony Davis’ first impression with the Dallas Mavericks was spectacular. It will also reportedly be very brief.
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Davis, acquired by Dallas in a stunning blockbuster trade that sent superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, will miss multiple weeks with a left adductor strain. NBA reporter Marc Stein was first with the news of a potentially lengthy absence.
Davis was replaced on the All-Star team Monday by new teammate Kyrie Irving. All-Star festivities start Friday in San Francisco, and the game is Sunday night.
Coach Jason Kidd said before Monday night’s loss to Sacramento the injury is still being evaluated and there isn’t yet a timetable for Davis’ return.
After Monday, the Mavs have home games against Golden State on Wednesday and Miami on Thursday before the break.
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis is expected to miss multiple weeks with a left adductor strain, sources tell ESPN. His absence could stretch to a month. pic.twitter.com/WnZUuqZKrw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2025
The 31-year-old big man suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter of his debut with Dallas on Saturday. Davis’ exit doused the brilliance of his arrival: 31 minutes, 26 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in the Mavs’ 116-105 victory over Houston.
The Mavs had hoped that Davis’ defense and interior play would enhance the perimeter talent of former All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. Dallas entered the week in eighth place in the Western Conference, two losses back of a top-six guaranteed playoff berth.
Any extended time without Davis will only intensify the criticism directed at Dallas general manager Nico Harrison over the controversial trade.
Mavs fans angry with Harrison over losing their beloved Doncic also have complained about the team giving up a 25-year-old superstar in his prime for an older player with an extensive injury history.
While the 31-year-old Davis played a career-high 76 games for the Lakers last season, he missed at least 20 games each of the previous five seasons.
Davis was out with an abdominal strain for his final two games with the Lakers and the first two he could have played for the Mavs.
The 10-time All-Star said after his Dallas debut he was confident it wasn’t a serious injury. He said part of the reason for leaving the game when he felt tightness in his groin and quadriceps area was because of the abdominal issue.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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