On Christmas Day, the Dallas Mavericks faced the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco. Early in the second quarter, the Mavericks suffered a devastating blow as 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis left the game.
Davis exited the game following a fast-break play. Davis was running ahead and was not able to catch the outlet pass from Naji Marshall as the 32-year-old star limped to the bench. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd immediately called a timeout with 8:50 remaining in the first half to make a substitution.
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ESPN’s sideline reporter Malika Andrews reported that Dallas’ training staff worked “in between the knee and the groin area” of Davis during the timeout. He later went back to the locker room without a limp, per Andrews.
At the start of the second half, Andrews reported that the Mavericks have ruled out Davis for the remainder of the game due to right groin spasms. According to Andrews, Dallas’ decision was because of their “abundance of caution” with Davis.
Anthony Davis had three points, three rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes of action on Christmas Day. Coming into Thursday’s game, the 6-foot-10 big man has only appeared in 15 games this season. He missed nearly the whole of November due to a lingering calf strain injury.
Jason Kidd turns to Cooper Flagg following Anthony Davis’ injury
After sideline reporter Malika Andrews provided an update on Anthony Davis’ injury on the ESPN broadcast, she asked Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd what the game plan would be in the second half.
“(Kidd) said, ‘Cooper Flagg, go baby go,”’ Andrews said.
Dallas was trailing Golden State 71-58 in the second half. 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg had 12 points and four rebounds on 6-for-9 shooting in the first half. He led the Mavericks in scoring in the first half alongside Naji Marshall, who also had 12 points. Guard/forward Max Christie started the second half in place of the injured Davis.
Dallas was on the first game of a three-game road trip that continues on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings, and will be followed by a clash against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
