The Mavericks confirmed our early speculation that Anthony Davis would miss at least another seven to ten days. He is currently out recovering from a left calf strain. He’s currently on his eighth straight game missed. Now, he will have to deal with another blow, as he will be out against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Davis has only seen action in 14 full games this season — not counting a couple of cameos during the play-in round. He emerged as a centerpiece of the controversial deal that brought him to Dallas in return for fetching Luka Doncic. The trade’s fallout culminated in the firing of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. Whether those positive or negative long-term impacts to the franchise will ultimately outweigh this decision remains to be seen.
Originally, Davis had aimed for a return on November 8, when the team is on the road against the Washington Wizards. But fears over his health have forced a more restrained campaign demeanor. The Mavericks’ ownership has mandated that Davis will not return without comprehensive medical metrics demonstrating that he poses no risk of aggravating his calf strain or suffering a related injury.
Davis was coming off a calf injury. Unbeknownst to all of us at the time, he was suffering from a serious abdominal condition throughout the trade. His track record of injuries has brought a lot of worry around the building. That concern only grew as then-Indy Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the NBA Finals, after he hurried back from a calf strain.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd underscored Davis’s desire to step in and help right away.
“He wants to be out there to help us,” – Jason Kidd
This latest injury follows a horrific incident that gained national attention. Davis quickly returned to action just in time to play in the Mavericks’ first home game since the trade. He was a monster the first half of the game against the Houston Rockets. Later in the season he was diagnosed with an adductor strain, linked to his past injury woes.
“But this gives him seven to 10 days to get better or to get stronger. Hopefully, in seven to 10 days, he’s back on the floor.” – Jason Kidd
It will be hard for the Mavericks to have one of their top contributors Missing In Action. To make up for Davis’s absence on the field, they will turn to other teammates. The current pandemic has underscored the need for a careful balance between player health and the business of professional sports. This is even more crucial for athletes considered injury prone.
As the Mavericks navigate this challenging period without one of their key players, they will look to other team members to step up and fill the void left by Davis’s absence. The ongoing situation underscores the importance of careful management of player health in professional sports, especially for an athlete with a history of injuries.
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