How Does the Injury to the Mavs Newly Acquired Star Big Man Impact Their Playoff Hopes?
After the start of a remarkable debut game versus the Houston Rockets on Saturday, star forward Anthony Davis would go down with a non-contact injury that would be reported as a left abductor strain by ESPN’s Shams Charania, an injury that is expected to keep him out for the foreseeable future. After a 31-minute, 26-point, and 16-rebound start for his Mavericks debut, Davis would do what he has sadly done throughout the past couple of years, that being the injury bug. An injury that was first reported as a couple week absence has recently been reported by NBA Insider Brian Windhorst that Davis could require season-ending surgery, an operation that would be beyond detrimental to the Mavericks’ playoff chances after their shocking trade at the deadline. With AD likely gone for more than a couple of weeks, what is the best case for the Mavs? Plus, what should they make of their general manager after this shocking injury?
While the Mavs have had their star player, previously in Luka Doncic, out for extended periods, it was likely Luka was supposed to return before this upcoming all-star break. Davis, on the other hand, is not expected to even play in February, with a potential mid-March return looking like the best scenario assuming surgery isn’t needed. Surprisingly enough, the issue for this Mavs team isn’t their offensive production, but instead their rim protection. In addition to Anthony Davis’ injury, center Daniel Gafford left yesterday’s game against the Kings with an injury that is currently being reported as a sprain in his right knee. Offensively, players like Kyrie Irving, a hobbled but recently productive P.J. Washington, and recent acquisition Max Christie can keep them afloat, but it won’t be easy. With their biggest offseason move in, Klay Thompson has started to get occasionally benched for the younger guys; this is looking like more and more of a washed season for a team that was supposed to contend.
The only issue with not competing this year, however, at a high level, is the fans and the perception of general manager Nico Harrison. After the Luka trade, reports have come out that both season ticket refunds and extra security due to death threats at the general manager have been implemented. Harrison tried to trade for stars like Kevin Durant at the deadline in a hope to appease the fans, but the only thing that could’ve brought them back was a superstar year from Anthony Davis, something they only got a glimpse of for three quarters. Last night’s overtime loss to the Kings says it all. For a team that wanted to get better defensively by trading their young star, the main problem is the rim-pressured defense. Giving up multiple game-deciding shots to an aging DeMar DeRozan is something that can’t happen in a tightly packed Western Conference, one that changes seeding every day. While the Mavericks currently sit in the eighth seed with a record of 28-26, they are just a game in front of the 11th-seeded Phoenix Suns, with the revamped Warriors, who acquired Jimmy Butler, and as well as the Sacramento Kings on their tail. If the Mavericks are fully healthy, they can easily make a push for even the deep rounds in the Western Conference, but at the same time, a short losing streak can vault them into the lottery.
