Anthony Davis Dominates Again, But Mavericks Fall Short in Return to New Orleans
Anthony Davis is no stranger to pressure. Since landing in Dallas in a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić the other way, every move he makes has been under the microscope. And while some-like Jeff Teague-have floated the idea that Davis might be better off in a lower-pressure market like Toronto, the eight-time All-Star seems focused on writing a different narrative: one where he re-establishes himself as one of the league’s most dominant forces, right in the heart of Texas.
On Monday night in New Orleans, Davis put together yet another monster stat line: 35 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal on 16-of-28 shooting. That kind of output isn’t just eye-popping-it’s historic.
With that performance, Davis now holds the record for the most games since 2000 with at least 35 points and 15 rebounds. That’s not just a nice stat.
That’s rarefied air.
And he wasn’t done there.
Against the Pelicans, Davis also became the first Mavericks player since Dončić to post a 35/15 game. In the first half alone, he poured in 22 points and grabbed 10 boards-marking yet another milestone, as he now leads the league in the most halves with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. It was, without question, his most explosive scoring night in a Mavericks uniform.
But even with Davis lighting it up, Dallas couldn’t close the deal. The Mavericks fell 113-119 to a surging Pelicans squad that’s now riding a five-game winning streak. New Orleans got contributions across the board, with six players scoring in double figures to help secure the win.
And then there was the crowd.
Pelicans fans haven’t forgotten. It’s been seven years since Davis requested a trade out of New Orleans in pursuit of a championship, but the boos still rained down every time he touched the ball.
It was a reminder of his complicated legacy in the city where he began his NBA journey. Back in 2019, Davis made it clear he wanted out-telling the Pelicans he wouldn’t sign an extension and wanted to join a contender.
That led to a move to the Lakers, where he teamed up with LeBron James and won his first (and so far only) NBA title in 2020.
Fast forward to now, and Davis is in a new chapter with the Mavericks-a team still trying to find its identity post-Dončić. His individual performances have been nothing short of elite, but the team results haven’t always followed. Monday night was a perfect example: Davis was dominant, but Dallas came up short.
Still, if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s this-Anthony Davis isn’t backing down from the spotlight. He’s not looking for an easier path.
He’s looking to prove that he can be the cornerstone of a contender once again. And based on the numbers he’s putting up, he’s doing everything in his power to make that happen.