Anthony Davis found himself at the center of one of the NBA’s most surprising midseason trades when he was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks after five years with the Los Angeles Lakers, a stretch that included a 2020 championship. The blockbuster swap, which sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, immediately made headlines and raised expectations. Davis made a stunning debut against the Houston Rockets, putting up 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks—all by halftime—marking the first time in league history a player recorded that stat line in one half. However, the momentum was cut short when Davis suffered a groin injury later in the game, forcing him to miss 18 contests. During his absence, the Mavericks dropped to the 11th seed and risked falling out of playoff contention.
Upon his return, Davis played a key role in pushing Dallas back into the playoff picture, ultimately landing a spot in the play-in tournament. But the Mavericks’ postseason hopes ended with a 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, despite Davis’ 40-point, nine-rebound performance. After the game, Davis looked back on a chaotic but meaningful season. “I’m just really grateful to be able to play this game,” he said. “Grateful to Dallas, the fans, and my teammates for embracing me through everything. Injuries are part of the game—you can’t control them. I did everything I could to get back and help this team fight for a playoff spot. I’m just thankful.”
Davis finished the 2024-25 season with averages of 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 51.6% from the floor. With the Mavericks now turning their attention to the NBA Draft Lottery in May, Davis aims to use the offseason to recover and come back strong for a new beginning next season.