The Dallas Mavericks are learning the hard way that the Anthony Davis gamble only works when AD actually suits up. Many might not agree, but numbers tell that without AD, they are a very bad team this season.
The numbers expose Mavs' problem without Anthony Davis
The Mavericks sit at 4-11 through 15 games, already sliding out of the playoff picture. The split-screen numbers show how much they rely on their often-injured big man.
When Davis plays, the Mavs win at a 40.0% clip, which is not great, but they at least remain in the survival category. And without him? The win rate has crashed to just 22.2%, dropping them to Western Conference’s basement.
More specifically, with Davis playing, the Mavericks won only 2 out of 5 games. If that continues all season, they’d end up with around 33 wins. That is in no way great for a team that gave up a lot to build this roster.
And when the 32-year-old is out of the table, everything falls apart. The Mavericks have pulled off only two wins in nine games without him. Over a full season, that pace would translate to about 23 wins -- nowhere near playoff territory.
At that rate, they’d be hoping for lottery luck, not the championship Nico Harrison promised before getting axed last week.
AD has played only 14 regular-season games since Mavs traded Luka Dončić for him. The team has played about 50 games in that span, which means he has already missed more than 35. He’s currently out again with a calf strain.
Reports say owner Patrick Dumont is now involved in medical decisions and wants detailed information before signing off on Davis’ return.
The ground reality is that they traded a 26-year-old generational talent for a 32-year-old who can't stay healthy. When Davis plays, the team is average at best. When Dončić played, the Mavericks reached the 2024 NBA Finals. Harrison quietly tore the roster apart in the name of rebuilding, so it’s not surprising he lost his job.
More NBA news:
- Timberwolves dominate shorthanded Mavericks with Naz Reid’s 22 points off the bench
- Paul George reacts to 'rusty' return for Philadelphia 76ers
- Pacers projected to turn Tyrese Haliburton's injury into generational talent
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo gets bad injury update from Doc Rivers after loss to Cavs
- How the Thunder are bringing the NBA closer to a 'doomsday scenario'