Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis is set to miss time after suffering a left adductor strain in his team debut.
Shams Charania reported that the Mavericks will take a cautious approach with Davis’ rehab, stating on SportsCenter, “I’m told the expectation is that Davis will need rehabilitation for the coming weeks on that adductor injury.”
Davis made an immediate impact in his first game with Dallas, recording 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists in a 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets. However, he exited the game early due to discomfort, and further evaluation confirmed the strain.
The Mavericks (28-25) hold the eighth seed in the Western Conference, maintaining a slim lead over the ninth-seeded Sacramento Kings. With Davis sidelined, Dallas will need to rely on its depth to remain competitive.
The injury compounds the Mavericks’ frontcourt issues, as Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell are also unavailable. Charania tweeted, “Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford will be re-evaluated in two weeks with a right knee sprain. Mavericks are now without Gafford, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Dwight Powell as the All-Star break looms.”
Davis’ injury history has been a concern throughout his career, and this latest setback comes just after his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers. Before the move, he was averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game.
The Mavericks acquired Davis with hopes of pairing him with Kyrie Irving to form a new star duo. His strong debut reinforced that potential, but his availability will be a key factor in Dallas’ postseason push.
With the playoffs approaching, the Mavericks will closely monitor Davis’ recovery timeline. The team will need contributions from its remaining rotation players to maintain their standing in the West.
