Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis suffered ligament damage in his left hand during Thursday night's 116-114 loss to the Utah Jazz, potentially facing months on the sidelines if surgery is required. The 10-time All-Star will seek a second opinion to determine the extent of the injury. This development complicates the Mavericks' season and dims Davis's trade prospects ahead of the February 5 deadline.
Anthony Davis left the court in obvious pain late in the Dallas Mavericks' narrow defeat to the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The injury occurred while defending Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, with subsequent testing revealing ligament damage in Davis's left hand, according to reports from ESPN's Shams Charania and The Associated Press. The Mavericks, who trail 14-24 this season, will consult a hand specialist for a second opinion, but sources indicate surgery could sideline the 33-year-old center for several months.
Davis has been a cornerstone for Dallas since his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers 11 months ago, which sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers. In 20 games this season, he has averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. However, injuries have plagued his tenure: he missed 15 games early due to a calf issue and two more from a groin strain on Christmas Day. The team's general manager, Nico Harrison, was fired in November amid a slow start, leaving the Mavericks 10 games below .500 and outside the playoff picture—far from their NBA Finals appearance less than two years prior.
The timing exacerbates trade rumors. Before the injury, the Atlanta Hawks emerged as a prime suitor after trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum, gaining salary cap flexibility. Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas suggested a Knicks-Davis deal could elevate New York, likening it to Rasheed Wallace's impact in Detroit years ago. Yet, with Davis's history of missing significant time—he has played 65-plus games only once in the last eight seasons—his market value has plummeted. Teams like Atlanta may now pivot, as a prolonged absence could extend beyond the deadline. Dallas will monitor updates while bracing for more games without their star.