Anthony Davis avoids the operating room: this is his possible return date

Anthony Davis received much more encouraging news than expected after consulting with a hand specialist. The Dallas Mavericks center will not require surgery to treat the ligament injury on his left hand, which opens the door to a possible return to the court in approximately six weeks. This diagnosis contrasts significantly with the initial reports that pointed towards surgical intervention and a prolonged absence that would have virtually ended his season.

The initial uncertainty arose on Tuesday morning when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Davis could undergo surgery and miss several months of competition. However, following a detailed evaluation with the specialist, the outlook changed significantly, offering a much more optimistic scenario for both the player and the franchise.

The new recovery timeframe keeps the Mavericks' aspirations alive, as they currently hold a record of 15-25 and are in twelfth place in the Western Conference. Although the team's sports situation remains challenging, the possibility of having Davis back before the season's final stretch represents a significant relief.

Before the severity of the injury was known, Dallas had restarted trade discussions with several teams interested in the veteran big man. Following the initial diagnosis on Friday, franchises like the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks had already shown interest in exploring a possible deal for the 10-time All-Star.

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The play in which the injury occurred

Davis suffered the injury during the final moments of the Thursday road loss to the Utah Jazz, in a defensive play against Lauri Markkanen. Despite the setback, the center had put up a solid performance before leaving the game.

In 35 minutes on the court, Davis posted 21 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and a block, being one of Dallas' most productive pieces up until the moment of the injury.

Since joining the Mavericks from the Los Angeles Lakers as a central part of the Luka Dončić trade in February 2025, Davis' availability has been limited. The 32-year-old has only played 29 regular-season games wearing the Dallas uniform, plagued by various physical ailments.

The numbers clearly reflect his impact when healthy. The Mavericks hold a 10-10 record with Davis in the lineup, whereas without him, the balance drops to 5-15, a difference that illustrates his importance on both ends of the court.

Beyond the short term, Dallas is focusing its decisions on a broader future vision. The franchise is building its project around the Rookie of the Year candidate, Cooper Flagg, and understands that the 2026 NBA Draft will be the last where they fully control their first-round pick until 2031, adding pressure to every strategic move.

This season, Davis has averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 20 games. His PER of 21.6 is nearly identical to what he registered after departing the Lakers last season, indicating that his level remains elite when available.

Represented by Rich Paul, Davis had already been open to trade options before getting injured, aiming to land on a team willing to offer him a contract extension during the upcoming offseason. With surgery ruled out and a relatively close return on the horizon, his situation is once again at the core of the market and key decisions that will shape the Mavericks' immediate future.