The Mavericks are off to a slow start in the 2025-26 NBA season, sitting at 2-4 after their 110-124 loss to the Detroit Pistons last night.
The team has struggled to find any offensive rhythm during this early stretch, and things may get tougher without All-Star big man Anthony Davis, who is expected to miss a few games due to an injury.
Davis suffered a lower leg injury in the Mavericks' matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
While on the Road Trippin podcast, former Dallas Maverick forward Richard Jefferson weighed in on Davis' conditioning and the role injuries play.
"How many times did you see players come into camp overweight and then deal with lower leg, calf, or just injuries over the course of the year? If you do this, the probability of [injury] happening goes up exponentially, right? You said your doctor was like, 'Hey, come in light.' So if you've had an injury history or if you come in out of shape, and then you're trying to get hurt.
He adds, “When we see Anthony Davis walk into training camp and seeing that he was a little heavy," Jefferson said on the "Road Trippin'" podcast, "if you told me looking at him in that interview, that eight games in, he would have Achilles soreness? Yes."
Jefferson raises valid points about Davis and his ongoing injury battle. Davis, who suffered multiple setbacks last season, notably an abductor injury following the trade that sent him to Dallas. He also dealt with a detached retina injury in the offseason, an issue that may have limited his ability to train at full strength.
David has an extensive history when it comes to injuries; however, theres no denying his impact when healthy. Davis continues to be a dominant force on both ends of the floor and a vital piece to the Mavericks, who hope to turn their season around.