Anthony Davis's First Game In Dallas Takes Fans on Rollercoaster Ride

Dallas Mavericks fans, despite being heartbroken over losing superstar Luka Doncic, gave Anthony Davis a rousing welcome in his first game at American Airlines Center. And he has given them the full Anthony Davis Experience in return.

First, he came out like a man possessed, looking like the superstar he can be.

ANTHONY DAVIS IS HERE 😤

6 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK in just FOUR MINUTES 😳 pic.twitter.com/6n7ALQs8vc
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 8, 2025

The noise was deafening in the arena after Davis put up six points, four boards and three assists plus a blocked shot in just four minutes.

He posted a ridiculous 24 points on 9/13 shooting with 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots in his first 20 minutes of action and finished with 26 points, 16 boards and seven assists.

"I'M HERE!"
Anthony Davis had an impressive debut with the Mavs in just his first 20 MINS with the team!!

24 PTS (9/13 FG, 2/2 3PT), 13 REB, 5 AST, 3 BLK, 0 TOpic.twitter.com/shlsjntfbF
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 8, 2025

But then, AD gave the Mavs fans the "other side" of the coin, going down to injury—a non-contact one at that.

Anthony Davis went to the locker room with a non-contact injury pic.twitter.com/uq4671SOJG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 8, 2025

The Mavericks are calling it a "lower-body injury" though it looks to be a groin thing, and he is "doubtful" to return.

Of course, the immense promise of what AD can do throughout his career has always been tempered by the massive amounts of time he spends out of uniform due to injuries. To the point where Charles Barkley has long referred to him as "Street Clothes".

Mavs fans will hope that this is nothing serious—and it didn't appear to be—but Davis has missed more than his share of games over his career, playing more than 56 games in a season just twice in the last seven years.