Dallas Mavericks fans had high hopes when the team paired Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving together. However, their time as a duo lasted just one game. Davis suffered a brutal injury in his debut with the Mavericks and has been sidelined ever since. Now, the situation has worsened, as Irving tore his ACL after hyperextending his knee, officially ending his season.
The devastating news has raised serious questions about Davis’ future this season. NBA insider Shams Charania revealed on The Pat McAfee Show that Davis and his representatives may consider shutting him down entirely.
“Davis has been out since the opener, since his first game he played. I think him, his representatives are gonna huddle up. I think they’re gonna have some very hard conversations. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that one game was the last time we’ve seen AD this season,” Charania said.
Just brutal: Shams Charania is reporting that Anthony Davis and his representatives could discuss shutting him down for the rest of the season after Kyrie tore his ACL. pic.twitter.com/D7YbVFLyMj
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 4, 2025
With Davis out, Irving carried a heavier workload to keep Dallas’ postseason hopes alive. Now, with both stars sidelined, the Mavericks’ playoff chances look bleak. The team currently sits at 32-30, holding the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference.
Shaquille O’Neal Backs Anthony Davis’ Shutdown
After reports surfaced that Anthony Davis might be shut down for the rest of the season, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal voiced his full support for the decision. During Tuesday night’s TNT broadcast, O’Neal explained why the Dallas Mavericks should prioritize Davis’ long-term health over a lost season.
“I think the Dallas organization needs to go the Joel Embiid route. Shut AD down also (and) get ready for next year. They have no shot of winning a championship without Kyrie and a healthy AD. So, if I were Nico and those guys, I would shut AD down,” Shaq said.
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Philadelphia 76ers’ recently sidelined superstar center Joel Embiid for the rest of the season. The situation in Dallas is similar as the Mavericks’ championship hopes have all but disappeared. With no real chance of contending this year, shutting him down could be the best move for both the player and the franchise.
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