For three quarters on Saturday afternoon, Davis was everything Dallas hoped for, dominating the Houston Rockets in a 116-105 victory. He led a defensive clinic, propelling the Mavericks to a franchise-record 18 blocked shots. He had three of his own while racking up 24 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
Then, in a moment that instantly put the franchise on edge, Davis pulled up with a groin injury, exiting late in the third quarter.
This is the reality of the Mavericks’ future. A defensive-minded team, built around Davis’ presence, must now also brace for the unpredictability of his availability. The decision by general manager Nico Harrison to swap 25-year-old Luka Doncic for the 31-year-old Davis was already a high-risk, high-reward move. This only adds another layer of uncertainty.
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After the game, Davis downplayed the injury, saying he felt only “tightness” and did not believe it to be serious. Still, his history speaks for itself. Davis has missed at least 15 games in six different seasons. For a Mavericks team that has struggled with consistency, any prolonged absence would be a massive blow.
Kidd’s Perspective
Head coach Jason Kidd, who was reportedly left out of trade discussions until the deal was nearly finalized, seemed to accept the situation without protest.
“I’m an employee of the Mavs,” Kidd said before the game. “I coach the players that are here. We’ve made a trade, and we’ve got to push forward, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Kidd, who has guided Dallas to the Western Conference Finals in two of the last three seasons, will now be judged on how well he adapts to life without Doncic. While the trade undoubtedly puts pressure on him, he remains focused on the task at hand.
A New Identity
With Davis at the helm, Dallas put forth one of its most stifling defensive efforts of the season. The Mavericks held Houston to 28.6% shooting from three, while Daniel Gafford added six blocks in just 26 minutes.
“Someone like AD, he just changes the game,” Kidd said. “To have Gaff and AD down there, it protects the paint and puts a lot of pressure on the perimeter.”
The Mavericks believe they can be one of the league’s best defensive teams, especially when Dereck Lively II returns from injury. But for that vision to hold, Davis must stay on the court.
With three more home games before the All-Star break, Dallas will be watching closely. Saturday’s win was promising, but the bigger question remains: Can the Mavericks trust their new star to stay healthy for the long haul?
