The Dallas Mavericks made one of the boldest moves in recent NBA history when they traded away their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic, in exchange for Anthony Davis back in February. The decision raised eyebrows across the league, especially considering Doncic had just led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals the previous season. But GM Nico Harrison seemed to have lost faith in the Slovenian star and rolled the dice on the injury-prone Davis.
Unfortunately for Dallas, that gamble didn’t pay off. On Friday night, the Mavericks’ playoff hopes crashed down in a 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. What’s more, Davis suffered a leg injury with just under eight minutes left in the game.
Cameras captured Davis hobbling to the bench in clear discomfort. As Davis limped off the court, one cameraman panned straight to Nico Harrison. His expression said everything. He was spotted tight-lipped, frustrated, and clearly troubled by the sight of his star acquisition once again battling injury.
the cameraman is WILD for immediately cutting to nico after AD hobbled to the bench 😭 pic.twitter.com/kCYmyDW43y
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) April 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Doncic continued to shine in Los Angeles, guiding the Lakers to the playoffs and proving that he still has plenty left in the tank. His dominant performances throughout the season only added salt to the wound for Dallas supporters.
Anthony Davis Speaks Out After The Loss
After the game, Anthony Davis maintained a gracious tone. Despite missing the playoffs in his first Mavs season, he remained composed and thankful for the opportunity Dallas gave him.
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“I’m just very appreciative that I get to play the game of basketball. Appreciative to Dallas, the fan base, and my teammates for accepting me and welcoming me with open arms, given the situation. It’s part of basketball. You can’t control what goes on,” he said.
Despite the early exit, Davis cannot be faulted for lack of effort. He scored 40 points on 16-of-29 shooting, collecting nine rebounds and dishing out two assists. But his individual brilliance wasn’t enough to salvage the Mavericks’ season or justify the shocking trade.
Also Read: Luka Doncic Breaks Silence On Los Angeles Lakers’ Championship Hopes Ahead Of NBA Playoffs
