The Dallas Mavericks’ trade for Anthony Davis continues to age in a bad way.
One year after trading away Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are outside of the Western Conference playoff picture with a 15-25 record.
With another injury hitting Davis, the Mavs’ top piece in the Luka Doncic deal is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-2026 NBA season, according to Shams Charania.
Via @ShamsCharania: Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis is likely to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand and miss several months, sources tell ESPN. His Dallas season is essentially over, given the prognosis and the Mavs' direction.
NBA Fans React to the Mavs’ Tough Injury News
@BTCBabyBull: His trade value has dropped tremendously
@BB_Bundy: The AD for Luka trade will go down as one of the worst trades of all time.
@LALMuse: So sad to see prayers up to my guy AD and hopefully he’s back at an elite level next year
@TheHurricaneBen: Yeah that man is cooked beyond belief.
Davis was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Mavericks in February 2025. He played in just nine games to close out the year.
This season, Davis was in and out of the lineup. He suffered multiple setbacks, and the hand injury he went down with late in a matchup against the Utah Jazz could be considered his worst yet since the season started.
@Kahllid4397: THE MOST INJURY PRONE PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY...
@YoSoyAbogadoSG: The tank is on, love the vision Nico
@TylerDavisShow: fragile
@NBA_STATS_X: Traded Luka Doncic for this!
If Davis’ season ends right here, he finishes the year with 20 games played. Seeing the court for 31.3 minutes per game, the Mavs’ big man produced 20.4 points, while making 50 percent of his shots from the field.
Along with his scoring, Davis produced 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. On defense, he blocked 1.7 shots per game.
Throughout the season, Davis was viewed as a potential trade candidate out of Dallas. The setback surely places the Mavericks in a tough spot on that front, as his injury history was already concerning for interested suitors.
The Mavericks will continue their season on Wednesday night with a matchup against the Denver Nuggets.