Ouch! Just when the Dallas Mavericks needed their star power the most, Anthony Davis is sidelined again with a nagging injury that's threatening to derail their already shaky season.
The Mavericks will have to hit the road against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday without their key big man, Anthony Davis, who's dealing with a fresh setback. According to a team insider speaking to The Athletic, Davis picked up a mild strain in his right groin during the team's disheartening defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. For those unfamiliar, a groin strain typically involves the muscles in the inner thigh area, which can make running, cutting, or even walking painful—it's the kind of injury that sneaks up on athletes during explosive movements like fast breaks. The good news? There's real hope that this won't keep him out for an extended period; he's projected to sit out several upcoming contests but should bounce back relatively soon.
Picture this: Davis was charging down the court on a quick transition play during Thursday's game when he suddenly pulled up, favoring his leg and limping noticeably. This happened with about 8:50 left in the second quarter, prompting him to hobble over to the bench. After a quick check from the training staff, he made his way to the locker room and didn't make it back onto the floor for the rest of the matchup.
This isn't the first time Davis has had to watch from the sidelines this year—he's already sat out 16 games, which is a huge chunk of the schedule. His most recent prior issue was a strain in his left calf back on October 29, during a matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Without him, the Mavericks have struggled mightily, compiling a dismal 4-12 record in those games. It's a stark reminder of how much the team leans on his presence; he's not just a scorer but a defensive anchor who changes everything on both ends of the court.
That loss to the Warriors on Christmas pushed Dallas's overall record to a frustrating 12-20, landing them in 11th place in the competitive Western Conference. With the season slipping away, the pressure is mounting. And this is the part most people miss: despite the rough patch, the Mavericks are gearing up to make moves before the February 5 trade deadline, and Davis is right in the middle of it. Expect a flurry of offers coming their way for the All-Star center, as teams around the league eye bolstering their rosters.
But here's where it gets controversial... Back on December 15, The Athletic highlighted how the Mavericks were making it clear they wanted to stay in the playoff hunt for the remainder of the year. Yet, they're in a tricky spot strategically. Sure, they've got a promising young talent in 19-year-old forward Cooper Flagg to build around—he's got that raw potential to become a cornerstone player. However, the team gave up a lot of future flexibility in past deals, meaning they don't fully own any of their first-round draft picks from 2027 through 2030. Those were sacrificed in aggressive 'win-now' trades aimed at surrounding Luka Dončić with elite help.
Speaking of bold moves, remember that blockbuster swap in February when the Mavericks shockingly sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis? It's the kind of trade that still divides fans—did it accelerate their contention window or leave them too vulnerable long-term? Since joining Dallas, Davis has only suited up for 27 out of the 67 games he could have played, which raises eyebrows about his durability and the wisdom of centering the franchise around him.
What do you think, Mavericks fans? Was trading away Dončić for Davis a genius gamble or a risky overreach that's now biting them with all these injuries? And with the trade deadline looming, should they hold onto Davis or cash in while they can? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I'd love to hear if you're optimistic about a turnaround or bracing for more tough times ahead.
Christian Clark, our go-to NBA beat reporter for The Athletic based in Dallas, broke this story. Before focusing on the Mavericks, he spent years covering the New Orleans Pelicans for NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune. You can follow him on Twitter at @christianpclark for the latest updates.
