Anthony Davis is pushing back publicly after a report suggested his season with the Dallas Mavericks is essentially over. The Mavericks’ big man took to social media this week to shut down claims made by ESPN insider Shams Charania, calling them outright lies.

The controversy began after Charania reported that Davis had suffered ligament damage in his left hand and was likely to undergo surgery that would sideline him for several months. The report added that, given the prognosis and the Mavericks’ direction, Davis’ season in Dallas was effectively finished.

Davis did not let that narrative stand.

Responding directly on X, the 32-year-old wrote “Lies” underneath Charania’s post, which was later deleted. He followed it up with another post calling the report “blatant lies,” before making his stance even clearer with a separate message.

The posts immediately caught attention across the league, especially with the trade deadline looming and Davis’ future already under scrutiny.

According to Charania, Dallas has also reignited trade discussions involving Davis following the injury update, particularly with the possibility that he could return later this season or during the postseason if moved to a contender. “The Mavericks are having renewed Davis trade talks with multiple interested teams,” Charania added.

That framing, however, now appears more complicated in light of Davis’ public denial. While trade conversations may be ongoing, his response suggests there is still internal disagreement over the severity of the situation and the direction of his recovery.

If the Mavericks were to receive a suitable offer from a contending team, and Davis is indeed able to return later in the season, his impact would be immediate. Before this latest injury, teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors had expressed interest in the veteran big man, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

Financially, Davis remains one of the league’s biggest investments. He is earning $54.1 million this season and will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension in August. Reports indicate he would prefer a move to a team willing to commit to him long term.

Anthony Davis has been limited to 20 games this season due to injuries

Davis arrived in Dallas as part of one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NBA history, moving from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Luka Doncic. The deal, orchestrated by then-general manager Nico Harrison, was meant to reshape the Mavericks’ defense and elevate them into title contention.

Instead, injuries have derailed that vision.

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In his first full season with the Mavericks, Davis has appeared in just 20 games and is expected to miss a significant portion of the remaining regular season. His absences have stemmed from multiple issues, including adductor and knee problems, before the latest ligament damage to his left hand.

When healthy, Davis has still delivered at an elite level. He is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game this season. His frustrating injury luck, however, has kept him off the floor far too often and robbed fans of the chance to see him consistently perform at his best.

If Davis does manage to return during the postseason, Dallas could still explore moving him to a preferred destination where he could elevate a contender’s title hopes. The extent of his injury, however, complicates any potential deal.

For now, Davis’ own words suggest he believes surgery may not be the only path forward. Regardless, the public back-and-forth has added another layer of uncertainty for the Mavericks as the February 5 trade deadline approaches, leaving the franchise and the league watching closely to see how this standoff ultimately plays out.