By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 22:31 GMT, 9 January 2026 | Updated: 22:31 GMT, 9 January 2026
Anthony Davis has ligament damage in his left hand, and the Dallas Mavericks' oft-injured big man could be facing an extended absence, a person with knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press on Friday.
Davis was injured late in a 116-114 loss at the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. The 10-time All-Star was in obvious pain on the bench before going to the locker room. Further testing revealed the extent of the damage, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because details of the injury haven't been publicly revealed.
The latest injury for Davis is a significant development for the Mavericks as they try to figure out how to move on from the trade for Davis that sent young superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers 11 months ago.
General manager Nico Harrison, the orchestrator of the deal, was fired in November after Dallas got off to a slow start. The Mavericks are 10 games under .500 and out of the playoff picture less than two years after playing in the NBA Finals.
There has been speculation about Davis getting traded again, but most of that has been predicated on him being healthy. The hand injury could sideline him until after the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
The 32-year-old Davis has missed 18 of the Mavericks' 31 games this season with calf and groin injuries. He was nursing an abdominal injury when the Mavericks traded for him last February, and he re-aggravated it in his Dallas debut. Davis was sidelined for the next 18 games.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, center, lays the ball to the basket as Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis, left, is injured on the play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
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Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) drives to the basket while guarded by Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)