Anthony Davis could miss “a number of months [depending on second opinion and if surgery is required]” after exiting Thursday’s 116-114 loss against the Utah Jazz with ligament damage in his left hand, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday on X.
Davis will almost certainly be out past the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline, casting serious doubt as to whether the All-Star forward will be moved mid-season, as has been speculated in recent weeks. Dallas had been fielding a number of suitors, including the Toronto
Raptors and Atlanta Hawks, in the last few days with the Hawks emerging as a potential favorite following the Trae Young trade, which gave them expanded cap room.
Now, everything changes. It’s another brutal setback for Davis. He’s been with the Mavericks for over 11 months, but has appeared in five consecutive games only twice during that span. His 29 games played as a Maverick are less than rookie Cooper Flagg’s 36 — and Flagg’s been with the team for eight fewer months.
Davis was the main piece of the now-infamous Luka Dončiċ trade 11 months ago and the Mavericks front office sold the fans a vision of Davis, Kyrie Irving, and the Mavericks building a defensive reputation that would lead to championships and years of playoff contention.
Less than a year later, the man that orchestrated that move is gone, the player he traded for can’t stay on the court, and the Mavericks are 14-24. The Mavs now seem poised for a near-certain years-long rebuild.
In his time on the court, Davis has put up good numbers, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks across 20 games played this season. Dallas is 10-10 with Davis this season and 4-14 without him.
Nevertheless, Dallas must go on without their All-Star forward. The Mavericks will travel to Chicago Saturday to face the Bulls at 7 p.m. in the Windy City.
