Mavericks trade plans for Anthony Davis take hit with latest injury news

The latest report on Anthony Davis' injury isn't a great one.

Dec 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks lost star forward/center, Anthony Davis, to an injury in Thursday's Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors. He went down in the second quarter after forcing a turnover, and then he took off in transition before coming up gimpy and immediately going to the bench, and eventually the locker room.

Dallas rule him out after halftime with what was called "right groin spasms."

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It didn't look good in the moment and the latest news on Davis will make it tougher for the franchise to move on.

Anthony Davis Expected To Miss Multiple Games With Another Injury

Dec 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) looks down during the game between the Mavericks and the Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania provided an update on Davis' injury on Friday, saying, "Mavericks star Anthony Davis has sustained a minor groin strain and is likely to miss a few games, sources tell ESPN. Davis, a significant trade target, will be evaluated daily. Mavs have taken a cautious approach with injuries, specifically for Davis, and will continue to do so."

Mavericks star Anthony Davis has sustained a minor groin strain and is likely to miss a few games, sources tell ESPN. Davis, a significant trade target, will be evaluated daily. Mavs have taken a cautious approach with injuries, specifically for Davis, and will continue to do so. https://t.co/eMBq8x3XNm

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 26, 2025

Davis already missed 14 consecutive games earlier in the year due to a left calf strain, then missed the second night of a back-to-back upon his return to the lineup. He also wasn't available for the overtime loss to Utah on December 15.

In 16 appearances, Davis is averaging 20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 29.9 minutes per game. He's shooting 52.1% from the field, 32.3% from three-point range, and 71.0% from the charity stripe. Davis' 20.5 points per game is the second-fewest mark of his 14-year career.

Davis has been oft-injured since arriving in Dallas via the Luka Doncic trade. He suffered an adductor strain in his debut with the franchise, missing 18 straight games. Upon getting back on the court, Davis injured his eye, requiring surgery, and for the big man to wear protective glasses for the remainder of his playing days.

The Mavericks will never be able to recoup what they gave up in exchange for Davis. That much is obvious.

However, it's also clear that this is Cooper Flagg's team now and it would benefit Dallas to reset the timeline while garnering assets or a promising younger player for Davis.

READ MORE: Mavericks' Anthony Davis leaves NBA Christmas game against Warriors with injury

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