Anthony Davis
The Dallas Mavericks faced another unsettling moment Thursday night as Anthony Davis exited late in a 116-114 loss to the Utah Jazz with a hand injury. With just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Davis left the floor and did not return, adding another chapter to a season defined by stops and starts for the All-Star big man.
After the game, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd offered a blunt assessment of the situation, per Basketnews. Kidd framed the injury as part of an ongoing reality for the team rather than a sudden shock.
“I don’t think it’s tough. I think that’s our norm with injuries or sickness. We lose guys. Next guy up,” Kidd said, via Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “I thought Ryan did a good job for us. Caleb did a good job. Klay did a great job in his 900th game. He came off the bench and gave us a spark.”
Before leaving the game, Anthony Davis posted 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in 35 minutes. The performance underscored both his impact and the frustration surrounding his availability. Davis has already missed 20 games this season and entered the night averaging 20.3 points on 50.6 percent shooting, along with 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.
Injury Update Clouds Trade Timeline
The long-term implications of Davis’ latest setback came into focus shortly after the game. According to Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Davis suffered ligament damage in his left hand. The injury carries the potential for a lengthy absence.
“Depending on second opinion and if surgery is required, Davis could miss a number of months,” Charania reported. “There is a real chance Davis will be sidelined through the Feb. 5 deadline. And possibly beyond, depending on the need for surgery.”
That update significantly alters the Mavericks’ short-term outlook. Davis had emerged as one of the league’s most prominent trade names as contenders evaluated frontcourt upgrades ahead of the deadline. The uncertainty surrounding his health now places both his availability and trade value in limbo.
Dallas Facing Familiar Questions
The timing adds another layer of sensitivity for Dallas. Davis arrived as the centerpiece of the polarizing trade that sent Luka Doncic out of the franchise, a move that sparked widespread backlash and preceded the dismissal of former general manager Nico Harrison. Since then, Davis has struggled to remain consistently in the lineup, with recurring injuries fueling concerns across the league.
Those concerns were already shaping trade discussions before Thursday’s injury. The Golden State Warriors had been linked to Davis as they explored options to bolster their interior presence, but traction never materialized. NBA insider Chris Haynes previously explained that while Golden State discussed the concept internally, Dallas showed little interest in what the Warriors could offer.
“I was told they’re contemplating making a case to acquire Anthony Davis,” Haynes said on NBA on Amazon Prime. “And with that being said, I was told that Dallas was not that fascinated with what Golden State has on its books.”
Dallas-based reporter Marc Stein echoed that sentiment, noting that even before the injury, a deal appeared unlikely. Stein reported that while the Warriors have long admired Davis, they were not actively pursuing him as the deadline approached.
For now, Kidd’s message remains consistent. The Mavericks will move forward with whoever is available, even as Davis’ injury reshapes conversations around the roster and the approaching trade deadline.