Anthony Davis Not Expected To Need Surgery, Will Miss Significant Time

According to NBA reporter Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis is not expected to need surgery to treat his adductor strain.

However, Davis will miss significant time.

“The expectation is Anthony Davis will not need surgery to treat this adductor strain. It’s a rest & rehab type of situation. … The anticipation is that [AD] will be back in a Mavericks uniform at some point this season.”@espn_macmahon on AD’s status.pic.twitter.com/EEs65KaveK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 12, 2025

Davis got hurt in his first game with the Mavericks against the Houston Rockets. The All-Star big man played 31 minutes before getting hurt, finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks while shooting 10-of-18 from the field, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line.  

The Mavericks acquired Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade. 

Davis signed a three-year, $175 million extension with the Lakers in August 2023. He turns 32 in March. 

A Chicago native, Davis can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if he declines his 2027-28 player option worth $62.8 million. 

According to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Davis was concerned about the Lakers roster once LeBron James retires. 

Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are on the same timeline in Dallas. 

“Davis, sources said, was concerned about being left with a roster that was fitted for James, with few options to change it when James retires,” McMenamin wrote. “As painful as it was for many in the organization to bid farewell to Davis — he was universally well-liked — he joined a contender with capable centers who will allow him to play at the 4, a coach in Jason Kidd who was an assistant on the Lakers’ 2020 championship team, and a GM in Nico Harrison who worked closely with him as his brand manager when Harrison was at Nike. Plus, being on the same timeline as the 31-year-old Irving, Davis believes he will be there long enough to put down roots and sign a contract extension, sources said.”

One of the top players in NBA history, Davis has career averages of 24.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks with the New Orleans Pelicans, Lakers and Mavericks. He was the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.