The Dallas Mavericks are still fighting for a playoff spot, but their season has been full of challenges, including the controversial trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury, and multiple injuries to key players. One of the major concerns after the Dončić trade was how Anthony Davis would adjust to a new team and system. His debut on February 8 was impressive, with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks. However, his performance was cut short when he left the game in the third quarter due to an adductor strain, which kept him sidelined for over a month.
Recently, Davis discussed his early return from injury and whether it was the right decision. He admitted, “If I could do it over, I would probably take a couple more days.” He explained that the trade’s unexpected travel demands, lack of proper treatment gear, and a few days without injury treatment contributed to the situation. Davis had already been recovering from an ankle injury before his debut, which may have influenced the decision to rush his return.
After Davis was sidelined, the Mavericks experienced a tough stretch, losing nine out of ten games in March. Despite this, the pressure on the remaining players to stay competitive was immense. Since Davis returned on March 24, the Mavericks have won three of their last four games, but Davis has struggled, averaging just 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and shooting 35.5% overall. If the Mavericks hope to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need to manage Davis’ minutes carefully to prepare him for the postseason.
Even if they make the playoffs, expectations for the Mavericks remain low, with much of the focus still on the shocking trade that sent Luka Dončić away.
