Anthony Davis Injury: “We’ll Evaluate the Situation”
A bitter NBA Christmas Day for the Dallas Mavericks: Anthony Davis was forced to leave the game in the first half against the Golden State Warriors due to a right groin injury
Dallas described the decision as precautionary, but yet another stoppage raises fresh concerns about his physical durability.
Christmas Day ends with both a loss and a new worry for the Mavericks. Anthony Davis exited early in the 126–116 defeat on the Warriors’ home floor after suffering right groin discomfort during the first half.
The key moment came with 8:50 left in the second quarter. Davis attempted to sprint in transition to receive a long outlet pass, then suddenly slowed down, stopped, and limped back toward the bench, immediately signaling for a substitution. Shortly after, during a timeout, the Mavericks’ medical staff escorted the big man to the locker room.
Right Groin Injury: Jason Kidd’s Comments
The Texas franchise officially labeled the issue as “right groin spasms”. Postgame, head coach Jason Kidd refrained from giving detailed updates on his center’s condition:
We’ll evaluate the situation. There was no reason to take any risks
Jason Kidd
According to ESPN, Davis was ruled out purely as a precautionary measure, a decision shared by both the medical and coaching staffs. The player left the arena without speaking to the media.
A Warning Sign Linked to His Recent History
The incident inevitably puts the spotlight back on Anthony Davis’ injury history, which has already been tested in recent months. This season, he had missed 14 games due to a left calf strain. Last year, following his arrival in Dallas in the trade involving Luka Doncic, he suffered an adductor injury in his debut, sidelining him for 18 games.
Different issues, but a pattern of stoppages that the Mavericks cannot ignore, especially at such a crucial point in the season.
Another Painful Christmas for Dallas
The symbolic detail is hard to overlook. For the second consecutive Christmas, Dallas loses a key player to injury. Last year, it was Luka Doncic, sidelined by a left calf strain in a home loss to Minnesota – a game that, in hindsight, turned out to be his last in a Mavericks jersey.
More narrative weight than clinical relevance, but still an ominous note that adds to the sense of misfortune surrounding the franchise’s recent Christmas games.
Now, attention shifts to medical evaluations and the coming days. How Anthony Davis is managed will be crucial – not only in the short term, but for the overall balance of the Mavericks’ season.