• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Anthony Davis Returns to Mavs in Crisis

The star big man had 12 points in his second game as a Maverick and first since Feb. 8.

Anthony Davis
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

On Feb. 8, Anthony Davis recorded 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in his Mavericks debut. Then he left in the third quarter with an adductor strain, ruining a promising start to his Mavericks tenure while the team continued to face harsh criticism in the wake of the trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.

Virtually nothing has gone right for the Mavericks since then.

Despite initial optimism from Davis that his injury was not serious, the 32-year-old was sidelined for six weeks before returning in the Mavericks’ 120–101 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. Davis played 27 minutes and had 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and a block in the victory. The Mavericks are now 34–37 and tied with the Phoenix Suns for 10th place and the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.

While Davis recovered from his injury:

In the days that followed Irving’s injury, Dallas had so many players sidelined that the Mavericks were momentarily in danger of having to forfeit games because they could not dress enough players.

Those injury concerns were part of the reason Davis opted to return this season even though he was reportedly urged by some close to the situation to sit out for the remainder of what has appeared increasingly like a lost season for the Mavericks.

“I’m not the one to throw in the towel and sit down,” Davis told reporters after the game. “I felt good enough to play. We got goals in mind, even though we are undermanned, not 100% healthy.”

Cuban says he would have blocked trade

During Davis’s absence, Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont—who took control of the team’s operations when his mother-in-law Miriam Adelson bought a majority stake of the team from Mark Cuban in 2023—has given several defenses of the decision to trade Dončić. 

While some of Dumont’s comments have been empathetic to the fan response to the trade, others only elicited more backlash. He cited Shaquille O’Neal as an example of dedication to physical training, which Dončić reportedly struggled with; O’Neal has readily admitted to playing himself into shape during the regular season in his NBA career. Regardless, all reports indicate that the idea to trade Dončić originated with general manager Nico Harrison, and Dumont deferred to him.

We don’t have to wonder whether Cuban, who owned the franchise when Nowitzki led the team to its lone NBA championship in 2011, would have done the same if Harrison had come to him with a proposal to trade Dončić.

Cuban made it clear during an appearance on the “Your Mom’s House” podcast with Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky that he no longer had any influence on the Mavericks after it was initially reported after the 2023 sale at he would still have operational control of the team’s basketball side.

“If I had any influence—no,” Cuban said. “I’m just a fan now. … When I originally sold the team, [my control] was originally what was supposed to happen, and then over time, [Dumont] was like, ‘O.K., in Nico we trust.’ So, here we are.”

Cuban said Harrison texted him the night of the trade to let him know about it, and Cuban responded with why he disagreed with the move, but, “It wasn’t my decision to make.” 

“I don’t get it, either,” Cuban said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Terry Rozier

NBA Union Says It Will Fight Decision to Withhold Rozier’s Pay

Rozier has one year and $26.3 million left on his contract.

Mavericks Accuse Stars of Holding Dallas Arena ‘Hostage’ in Lawsuit

The NBA team seized control of a joint company operating the American Airlines Center.
Oct 26, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III (35) and forward Kyshawn George (18) talk after a turnover against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Capital One Arena.
exclusive

Wizards Hire Ex-ESPN Editor Cristina Daglas for Front Office Role

ESPN placed Cristina Daglas on administrative leave in January.

Rozier’s Lawyer Says Missed 2023 Games Cost Him Shoe Money

Rozier had a Puma deal through the end of the 2022–23 season.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Oct 23, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center

Cooley Signing Adds to Utah’s Pursuit of Early NHL Success

In its second season, Utah is committed to winning as fast as possible.
October 26, 2025

Blue Jays’ World Series Run Is Just Part of Rogers’ Big Sports..

Buying more MLSE equity and a recapitalization of sports assets are planned.
October 27, 2025

Dodgers Depth, Blue Jays Glue Guys Are Defining the World Series

Yamamoto, Smith, and Glasnow are playing key roles for MLB’s top spenders.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
Fred Warner
October 25, 2025

Most of the 49ers’ Record Cap Number Isn’t on the Field

The 49ers are winning despite ranking 31st on spending on active players.
Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Signage in place on the dug out before game one of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
October 24, 2025

World Series Viewership Will Be Different This Year

The Canadian presence in the World Series creates a unique viewership situation.
Tom Dundon
exclusive
October 22, 2025

Sale of Trail Blazers to Tom Dundon Will Take Multiple Years to..

Dundon is buying the team at a $4.25 billion valuation.
October 18, 2025

Financial Behemoth Dodgers Win NL Pennant, Eye History

The biggest spenders would be MLB’s first repeat champion in 25 years.