Mavericks’ Worst Nightmare Unfolds: Anthony Davis Injury Threatens to Derail Season as Center Trio Faces Crisis
The Dallas Mavericks’ early-season hopes have taken a huge blow, as an injury to superstar Anthony Davis has raised serious concerns for the team. After just seven minutes of play against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Davis was sidelined due to lower leg soreness, leaving the Mavericks without their prized big man for the remainder of the game. This injury now puts the Mavericks in a familiar position—without their full complement of centers, a scenario that has plagued them in recent seasons.
Dallas has struggled to keep their frontcourt healthy since acquiring Davis, with their center rotation of Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford rarely available all at once. This is a major issue, as Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has emphasized the importance of size and physicality at the rim, an area that has been compromised without a consistent presence in the paint. Adding to the worry, Davis’ injury might be related to the bilateral Achilles tendinopathy listed on the team’s injury report, a condition known for lingering and potentially chronic setbacks.
The injury woes aren’t limited to Davis. Gafford has been sidelined since training camp with an ankle sprain, while Lively II has missed the last two games with a knee sprain. While both are expected to return soon, the Mavericks could once again find themselves in a position where none of their starting-caliber centers are available. With the Western Conference as competitive as ever, this could spell trouble for a Mavericks team already struggling with offense and rim protection.
If the Mavericks can get at least one of their bigs back in action soon, they may be able to stay afloat. But if all three remain out for an extended period, it could severely hinder their chances of being competitive this season. The timing couldn’t be worse for Dallas and its fans, who now face the uncertainty of Davis’ injury alongside the looming question of whether their center trio will ever be fully healthy at the same time.
