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And for a 32-year-old big man who’s been through 14 grueling NBA seasons, that’s not something to take lightly. He’s had a similar injury history dating back to 2021, when he dealt with a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis that forced him to miss 30 games. Injuries, sadly, are nothing new for Anthony Davis. Since joining the Mavericks last year, his time on the floor has been stop-and-go. He suffered an adductor injury in his Dallas debut that kept him out for over six weeks, then hurt his eye against the Hawks, the same game where he nailed the game-winner. That scary eye injury, a detached retina, led to offseason surgery and now forces him to wear protective goggles every time he steps on the court. So far this season, Davis has been putting up strong numbers, averaging 25 points, nearly 12 rebounds, and a couple of assists per game, showing flashes of why the Mavericks went all-in on him. But his health continues to be the biggest question mark. The team can’t afford another long absence, especially with Kyrie Irving still recovering from an ACL injury. To keep Davis healthy, Dallas might need to ease up on his minutes or rest him during back-to-backs, considering he played nearly 73 minutes across Sunday and Monday. Davis, now in his first full season with the Mavericks after coming over in the Luka Dončić trade, left fans concerned. A later update from Mavs PR on X stated, “Anthony Davis (left lower leg soreness) will not return to tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers.” He will have to be examined further for his lower leg soreness, and while he’s out, fans might see more of Naji Marshall, Dwight Powell, and Caleb Martin stepping up. As of halftime against the Pacers, the Mavericks trail 55-52. Can Dallas find its groove without Luka? The Cooper Flagg Era for the Mavericks has officially begun, but looking at the roster, it feels like the team is still holding on to the veterans for a while. That’s why fans are hoping that the trio of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Flagg can unlock some serious upside, if they can just find some rhythm. So far, the season hasn’t gone as planned, and Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey wasn’t impressed, giving the Mavericks a “C-” for their first week. Andy Bailey explained why the Mavericks are struggling so far this season. Even with Kyrie Irving back, the team is struggling to put together a lineup that can really compete at the top level. Having Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg still learning the ropes, and Dereck Lively on the floor at the same time has made spacing tight. Scoring has been another challenge. Bailey pointed out that, “Dallas has failed to get to 100 points twice. It’s been below the league average for points per game three times.” Even ESPN’s Tim Bontemps isn’t painting a rosy picture. He points to defensive issues, shaky shooting, and uncertain chemistry as major concerns, saying the Mavericks are still adjusting after trading away Luka Dončić. According to the network’s analytics, Dallas only has a 3.6 percent chance of making the playoffs and a 91.5 percent chance of missing out entirely, with zero chance of home-court advantage. If the Mavericks can keep Anthony Davis healthy and get Flagg and Irving in sync, they could turn things around and become a serious threat. Otherwise, early struggles might continue, making it a long season for Dallas fans.
