Since his shocking arrival in Dallas a year ago, every injury to Anthony Davis has felt like a gut punch, reigniting fan frustration over the trade that sent away Luka Doncic and solidified Davis’s reputation as one of the NBA’s most physically unreliable stars.
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| Injury | Date / Season | Games Missed (Approx.) | Impact & Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdominal Injury | Feb 2025 (Dallas Debut) | 18 games | Re-aggravated upon arrival, missed the first 18 games in Dallas. |
| Adductor Strain | 2024-25 Season | 6 weeks | Another multi-week absence during his first partial season. |
| Calf Strain | Nov 2025 | 15 of 16 games | Missed nearly a full month early this season. |
| Groin Injury | 2025-26 Season | Multiple games | Added to his list of ailments this year. |
| Left Hand Ligament Damage | Jan 9, 2026 | Minimum 6-8 weeks | Latest major setback, occurred defending Lauri Markkanen. |
A Cycle of Fan Frustration
Each new injury report triggers a predictable and weary cycle of fan reaction online, moving from shock to sarcasm to deep-seated resentment over the Luka Doncic trade.
- Exhausted Sarcasm: Fans now react to Davis’s injuries with memes and resigned humor. Comments like “New day, same Glass Davis,” “Shocker,” and “Scheduled tweet” are common, highlighting how expected these setbacks have become.
- Frustration with Fragility: There’s a pervasive sense that Davis is uniquely fragile. Fans call him “too delicate,” question his training, and lament that “every season, the same fear” accompanies his play.
- Anger Over the Luka Trade: For Mavericks fans, the deepest cut is that every Davis injury is a stark reminder of the franchise-altering trade that sent a healthy
Performance vs. Availability Paradox
The frustration is compounded by the undeniable truth: when Davis plays, he is still a dominant force. This season, he has averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
However, his sheer lack of availability has crippled the team’s plans. He has played in only 29 of a possible 74 regular-season games since joining Dallas, missing more than 60% of the time.
What Comes Next for AD in Dallas?
This latest hand injury, occurring just before the NBA trade deadline, has thrown Davis’s future into doubt.
- A Potential Trade: The Mavericks have reportedly engaged in renewed trade talks. Other teams might see a chance to acquire a still-elite talent at a lower cost, hoping he can be healthy for the playoffs.
- Staying Put: The Mavericks may find the trade market too depressed and decide to hold onto Davis, hoping for a healthy stretch next season to rebuild his value.
- Davis’s Own Stance: Davis has been vocal, calling early injury reports “lies” on social media. He may be seeking a long-term commitment from Dallas or a fresh start with a contender.
His incredible talent is forever shadowed by a body that can’t sustain it, leaving fans to wonder what could have been if he played as often as he dominated.
If you’re interested, I can look up more details about the specific trade scenarios being discussed for Davis or the latest updates on rookie Cooper Flagg, who is now seen as the franchise’s new cornerstone.