The Dallas Mavericks came into Monday night’s showdown with the Denver Nuggets sitting at 6-15 - a record that has them buried in 12th place in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. On paper, this isn’t a team that screams “playoff threat,” but there are signs of life in Dallas, and one of the biggest reasons is the return of Anthony Davis.
After missing 14 straight games with a calf strain, Davis was back in the lineup against Denver, giving the Mavericks a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor. He didn’t suit up in Saturday’s game against the Clippers, but his presence on Monday was a welcome sight - especially when you’re going up against a guy like Nikola Jokic. Davis brings size, rim protection, and a reliable scoring option inside, and in a game where every possession mattered, his impact was felt.
But with Davis, availability has always been part of the conversation. He’s one of the most talented big men in the league when healthy, but the “when healthy” caveat tends to hang over every performance. And Monday night brought another reminder of just how fragile that situation can be.
Late in the second quarter, Davis went up for a putback dunk over Jokic - a big-time play that gave Dallas a two-point lead and some serious momentum. But in the process, he jammed a finger on the rim and came down clutching his hand. It wasn’t related to his previous calf or groin issues, which is a relief in itself, but it’s still another knock for a player who’s had more than his share.
For the Mavericks, any injury to Davis - even a minor one - is cause for concern. Not just because of what it means for their short-term competitiveness, but also for what it could mean for his trade value if the front office is weighing that option down the line. Davis is a foundational piece when he’s on the floor, but the uncertainty around his health continues to complicate the bigger picture.
Still, Dallas showed some real fight against the defending champs. Not many expected them to hang with the Nuggets, especially on the road, but they came out swinging.
Cooper Flagg is starting to find his rhythm, Davis was productive in his return, and Ryan Nembhard? He’s been electric.
ANTHONY DAVIS CONTINUES TO HOLD HIS HAND AFTER APPEARING TO SUFFER A JAM ON HIS FINGER
— Dallas Nation (@TheDallasNation) December 2, 2025
pic.twitter.com/9ZBj0xmTCm
Through three quarters, he was leading all scorers with 27 points, putting on a show and giving the Mavericks a real shot in a game few thought they’d be in.
It’s too early to say whether this team can turn things around and make a run, but Monday night showed they’re not folding. And if Davis can stay on the court - a big “if,” but a crucial one - the Mavericks might just have a little more juice than their record suggests.