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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 08: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks holds his left hand as he reacts to pain after injuring it against Lauri Markkanen during the second half of their game at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks have had to deal with several injuries to Anthony Davis over the last couple of seasons. Ever since they decided to make the trade for him in exchange for Luka Doncic, Davis has struggled to stay healthy. He played in just nine games last year for Dallas.
So far this season, he has appeared in only 20. He left a game against the Jazz after being injured yet again, although this time it was late in the game. Davis left the game with what appeared to be a left-hand injury. He was seen grabbing it in pain on the floor, and once he headed back to the locker room.
The Mavericks have now gotten an injury update on Davis as they continue to determine what the injury is and how much time Davis could miss.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis holds the ball. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Mavericks Await Imaging Results for Anthony Davis
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavs continue to await imaging results. That will determine how much time he will miss, if any. Dallas is scheduled to play Chicago on Saturday, and it is unknown whether or not Davis will be able to play in his hometown.
The decision to trade for Davis is ultimately what got Nico Harrison fired earlier this year. There are rumors that they are trying to trade him already, less than a year after getting him. Doncic has been thriving in Los Angeles and leads the NBA in All-Star votes.
Meanwhile, Davis has put up the worst defensive rating of his career so far. Trading him would hurt their chances of making the playoffs this year, but it’s clear that Dallas is building around Cooper Flagg. Another injury would crater his trade value even further.
If this injury keeps Davis out of the lineup for an extended period of time, there is a chance that the trade market will dry up completely for Davis. That would mean that the Mavericks are forced to try to make the playoffs once Kyrie Irving returns.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis stands with Jason Kidd. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Mavericks Could Look to Start a New Era
Without Davis, the Mavericks would acknowledge that the trade was a mistake and never should have happened. Ownership seems to have done that by firing Harrison already. Still, it will be impossible to recoup the value for Davis that they got when they traded Doncic.
Right now, the Mavs have the third-worst offense in basketball. Davis’ absence in most of the games this season is a big reason why, as is the fact that they don’t have a solid point guard. Trading Davis for young offensive pieces might be the best way for them to move forward.
Losing Davis for a few weeks would likely keep the Mavericks out of the playoffs. Right now, they sit 11th in the Western Conference standings. Keeping Davis would signal that they would hope Irving would be able to pull them into the playoffs and make a run.