The Dallas Mavericks are set to host the red-hot Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, and all eyes are on Anthony Davis’ status ahead of tipoff. Davis, who’s been battling a left calf contusion, is officially listed as questionable on the NBA injury report-a designation that leaves plenty of room for interpretation and a fair amount of anxiety for Mavs fans.
This isn’t the first time Davis’ availability has been in flux this season. The 2025-26 campaign has been a rollercoaster for the big man, with injuries continuing to be a frustrating subplot.
He sat out Monday’s high-scoring 140-133 loss to the Jazz in Utah, a game where the Mavericks clearly missed his presence on both ends of the floor. Whether that absence was purely precautionary or a sign of a lingering issue is still unclear, but what’s certain is that Dallas needs their star on the floor if they want to hang with the best in the league.
And make no mistake-the Pistons are currently that team. At 21-5, they’ve been the class of the Eastern Conference, playing with a level of consistency and confidence that’s turned heads across the league.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks sit at 10-17, and while records don’t always tell the full story, this one paints a pretty honest picture. Dallas has struggled to find rhythm, and without Davis, their margin for error shrinks dramatically.
The Mavericks will at least have the benefit of playing at home, which could help swing momentum in their favor. But Davis’ status looms large.
He’s one of six Mavericks currently on the injury report, a list that underscores just how banged up this team is heading into a crucial matchup. The Pistons aren’t exactly at full strength either-they’ve got five players listed on their own injury report-but their depth and recent form still make them a tough out.
So, is Anthony Davis playing tonight? As of now, the answer is a firm maybe. His availability will likely come down to a game-time decision, and for Dallas, that decision could be the difference between pulling off a statement win or continuing to slide.
One thing’s for sure: if the Mavs want to take down the top team in the East, they’ll need every ounce of firepower they can muster-and that starts with the hope that Davis can suit up and anchor the effort.