DALLAS — Anthony Davis‘ dominant debut for the Dallas Mavericks was cut short when he suffered what the team called a “lower-body injury.” He was announced as doubtful to return with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Davis, the headliner in Dallas’ return of the Luka Doncic trade that prompted a large pregame protest outside of the American Airlines Center, exited with 1:37 remaining in the third quarter and headed to the locker room while clutching his midsection.
Davis had 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in 31 minutes before exiting. He had missed the previous five games — his final three with the Los Angeles Lakers and first two with the Mavs — due to an abdominal injury.
Davis was injured while attempting to contest Alperen Sengun‘s driving dunk as a help defender. Davis went down in the paint while holding his midsection.
Mavs GM Nico Harrison’s decision to trade 25-year-old face of the franchise Doncic, who led the league in scoring last season before leading Dallas to the NBA Finals, resulted in outrage among the fan base.
The pregame protest was attended by approximately 1,000 people, many of whom held signs and participated in chants that were critical of Harrison.
Harrison, who sources said has received multiple death threats, did not sit in his normal seat in the arena’s lower bowl.
Davis had the arena rocking from the opening possession — when he threw a lob to center Daniel Gafford — until his early exit.
After a putback dunk with 7:34 remaining in the first quarter — Davis’ fourth bucket in the first four-plus minutes — he prompted roars from the crowd by waving his arms at the stands when the Rockets called timeout.
“I’m here,” Davis shouted as he pointed at the American Airlines Center court.
Davis, 31, a 10-time All-Star selection, has had durability issues for much of his career. He played a career-high 76 games last season.
