The Dallas Mavericks confirmed on Friday that Anthony Davis has sustained ligament damage in his left hand, an injury that could potentially require surgery and keep him sidelined for several months. The injury occurred while Davis was defending Lauri Markkanen during the Mavericks’ loss to the Utah Jazz on Thursday. He will be seeking second opinions to assess the necessity of surgery.
Should Davis opt for a nonsurgical treatment, he is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks. This injury complicates the Mavericks’ strategy as they had been actively exploring trade options for the 32-year-old star as the February 5 deadline approaches. His trade potential is further strained by his history of injuries and his intentions to secure a significant contract extension this offseason.
Davis has a hefty salary of $58.5 million due for next season and a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. His time with the Mavericks has been marred by injuries, limiting him to just 29 games and a few play-in appearances since his acquisition in February 2025, which was part of the high-profile Luka Doncic trade.
Notably, Davis was recovering from an abdominal strain when he was traded and faced further setbacks, including a strained adductor in his Mavs debut that kept him out for six weeks. This season, he missed 14 games in November due to a strained left calf, with his return delayed until medical clearance was granted. Additionally, he faced more challenges by suffering a minor adductor strain in the Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
Despite these setbacks, Davis has been productive when on the court, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 20 games this season. While the Mavericks navigate through this tough situation, fans remain hopeful for Davis’s recovery and future contributions to the team’s success.