Anthony Davis Exits Mavericks’ Win Over Pacers with Leg Soreness

It was supposed to be another exciting night for the Dallas Mavericks, but tension filled the air early in their 107–105 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The spotlight quickly shifted from the scoreboard to the sidelines when Anthony Davis limped off the court in the first quarter with what the team later described as left lower leg soreness.

The 32-year-old forward/center, who was already on the injury list as “probable” due to bilateral Achilles tendinopathy, appeared to tweak his leg after scoring. Moments later, Davis signaled to the bench and headed to the locker room, not exactly what Mavericks fans wanted to see this early in the game.

By halftime, Dallas ruled him out completely. Head coach Jason Kidd later told reporters, “He tried to return but we didn’t want to take any chances.” A smart move, considering the Mavericks have been plagued by injuries all season and can’t afford another long-term absence from one of their key players. For Davis, the injury setback adds to a frustrating pattern that’s haunted his career since joining the Mavericks last season in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade. Despite the buzz and expectations surrounding his arrival, Davis has appeared in only nine games for Dallas, missing significant time due to abdominal and adductor issues.

And the timing couldn’t be worse. The Mavericks are already battling a depleted roster, Kyrie Irving is out with a torn ACL, Daniel Gafford is sidelined with an ankle sprain, and young star Dereck Lively II is nursing a knee injury. With so many names on the injury list, Dallas has been relying heavily on its bench depth and system cohesion just to stay afloat in the Western Conference race. Still, there was a silver lining. The Mavericks managed to grind out the two-point win against the Pacers, a testament to their resilience and next-man-up mentality. But make no mistake, without Davis’ defensive presence and inside dominance, the road ahead could get much bumpier.

The bigger question now is: how serious is this latest injury? With his history of lower-body issues, fans are understandably anxious about how long he might be sidelined. The Mavericks have yet to release a detailed update, but for now, the phrase “leg soreness” might be masking deeper concerns.

Anthony Davis remains one of the league’s most talented big men when healthy, a blend of power, agility, and shot-blocking ability that can change the complexion of any game. But staying healthy has always been his biggest challenge. As Dallas continues its playoff push, they’ll be hoping this latest setback is just a minor scare, not the start of another long recovery chapter.

For Mavericks supporters, Wednesday’s victory might feel like a mixed blessing, a win on paper, but with plenty to worry about beyond the box score.