The Dallas Mavericks are stepping into their first full season without Luka Dončić, who was traded to the Lakers earlier this year. And as if that heartbreak wasn’t enough for fans, the team’s off to a rough start, sitting at a disappointing 1-3 record. While all eyes (and hopes) are pinned on the No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, things took another worrying turn when the 2012 No. 1 pick, Anthony Davis, was seen going down during their matchup against the Pacers.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on X, “Anthony Davis is headed to the locker room for in-game treatment.” The 32-year-old big man appeared to land normally on a jumper but soon started nursing his left leg. Moments later, he exited the game and made his way to the locker room for further evaluation.

Before Wednesday’s matchup against the Pacers, Davis was already listed on the injury report with bilateral Achilles tendinopathy  which, in simpler terms, means both of his Achilles tendons are acting up. It’s the kind of thing that makes any basketball fan wince, because those tendons are used for just about everything, running, jumping, and cutting, the very moves that make Davis such a force on the court. 

And for a 32-year-old big man who’s been through 14 grueling NBA seasons, that’s not something to take lightly. He’s had a similar injury history dating back to 2021, when he dealt with a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis that forced him to miss 30 games.

Davis arrived in Dallas camp looking heavier than his usual chiseled lockdown form- observers pegging the gain at around 15 lbs from last season. While the Mavs and Davis haven’t confirmed that ‘extra weight’ caused his latest setback, the timing is striking: entering camp heavier and now sidelined with a lower-leg issue and Achilles load concerns.

In this sense, the injury becomes more than a momentary blip- it is a tell-tale in a bigger story about how a veteran’s body must adjust when role-load, conditioning strategy and expectations all shift. For a franchise counting on Davis to anchor its front-court, the question isn’t simply when he returns- it’s in what form.

Injuries, sadly, are nothing new for Anthony Davis. Since joining the Mavericks last year, his time on the floor has been stop-and-go. He suffered an adductor injury in his Dallas debut that kept him out for over six weeks, then hurt his eye against the Hawks, the same game where he nailed the game-winner. That scary eye injury, a detached retina, led to offseason surgery and now forces him to wear protective goggles every time he steps on the court.

So far this season, Davis has been putting up strong numbers, averaging 25 points, nearly 12 rebounds, and a couple of assists per game, showing flashes of why the Mavericks went all-in on him. But his health continues to be the biggest question mark. 

The team can’t afford another long absence, especially with Kyrie Irving still recovering from an ACL injury. To keep Davis healthy, Dallas might need to ease up on his minutes or rest him during back-to-backs, considering he played nearly 73 minutes across Sunday and Monday.

Davis, now in his first full season with the Mavericks after coming over in the Luka Dončić trade, left fans concerned. A later update from Mavs PR on X stated, “Anthony Davis (left lower leg soreness) will not return to tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers.”

He will have to be examined further for his lower leg soreness, and while he’s out, fans might see more of Naji Marshall, Dwight Powell, and Caleb Martin stepping up. As of halftime against the Pacers, the Mavericks trail 55-52. 

Can Dallas find its groove without Luka?

The Cooper Flagg Era for the Mavericks has officially begun, but looking at the roster, it feels like the team is still holding on to the veterans for a while.

That’s why fans are hoping that the trio of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Flagg can unlock some serious upside, if they can just find some rhythm. So far, the season hasn’t gone as planned, and Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey wasn’t impressed, giving the Mavericks a “C-” for their first week.

Andy Bailey explained why the Mavericks are struggling so far this season. Even with Kyrie Irving back, the team is struggling to put together a lineup that can really compete at the top level. Having Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg still learning the ropes, and Dereck Lively on the floor at the same time has made spacing tight.

Scoring has been another challenge. Bailey pointed out that, “Dallas has failed to get to 100 points twice. It’s been below the league average for points per game three times.”

Even ESPN’s Tim Bontemps isn’t painting a rosy picture. He points to defensive issues, shaky shooting, and uncertain chemistry as major concerns, saying the Mavericks are still adjusting after trading away Luka Dončić. According to the network’s analytics, Dallas only has a 3.6 percent chance of making the playoffs and a 91.5 percent chance of missing out entirely, with zero chance of home-court advantage.

If the Mavericks can keep Anthony Davis healthy and get Flagg and Irving in sync, they could turn things around and become a serious threat. Otherwise, early struggles might continue, making it a long season for Dallas fans.