The Dallas Mavericks have struggled through much of the 2025-26 season. They sit at 19-26, and if their play continues at this pace, a legitimate playoff push appears unlikely.
After weeks of frustration, however, the team received a small but positive sign — something Mavericks fans have not seen in some time.
Anthony Davis’ Pregame Routine Draws Attention Online
On Saturday, DLLS Sports’ Mavericks beat reporter Ron Harrod Jr. shared a video on X showing Anthony Davis doing pregame work before the Lakers-Mavericks matchup.
It was the first visible progress from Davis in weeks. Harrod noted, though, that Davis is still expected to miss another month because of a sprained finger on his left hand.
Anthony Davis is getting some pregame work ahead of the Mavericks game against the Lakers.
Davis, who injured his left hand against the Utah Jazz, is expected to miss about another month. He was wearing some type of protective wrap on the hand while working out with Phil Handy. pic.twitter.com/fDG4n9n5EP
— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) January 24, 2026
The injury occurred Jan. 9 against the Utah Jazz, a game the Mavericks lost. Davis was defending Utah’s Lauri Markkanen on a drive when he hurt his hand. The injury forced him to leave with 2:08 remaining, and he did not return.
Since then, Davis has missed seven straight games and 25 overall this season. Before the setback, he was averaging about 20 points and more than 11 rebounds per game.
In the days following the injury, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Dallas had lowered its asking price for Davis amid concerns about his health.
“One thing that has been made clear in the last few days from people that I talked to is the cost is most certainly going to be lower for the Mavericks than it was even a month ago, when the Mavericks were hedging that Davis would rack up games, would improve his value, and it could go up and up in terms of what they could get,” said Charania in an ESPN segment.
League interest has cooled as well. Teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors, once linked to Davis, are no longer seriously pursuing him.
Injuries have followed Davis since he arrived in Dallas. He suffered a lower-body injury in his first game with the Mavericks last season and missed several weeks. That rocky start set the tone, and stability has been elusive ever since. Now, the question remains when Davis will finally return to the court.
