Anthony Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand during Thursday’s game after appearing to injure it late in the fourth quarter. Davis was visibly in pain and did not return after exiting, with the team later confirming ligament involvement. While the Mavericks have yet to announce a definitive treatment plan, the injury immediately raises concern given Davis’ reliance on hand strength for rebounding, interior defense, and finishing through contact.
The most significant variable moving forward will be whether Davis opts for surgery. Ligament injuries in the hand can sometimes be managed conservatively with immobilization and rehabilitation, but surgical repair is often recommended for more severe or unstable tears, particularly in high-level athletes. If surgery is chosen, Davis would be expected to miss several months, as recovery typically includes a prolonged immobilization phase followed by gradual strengthening and sport-specific rehab.
This latest setback adds to a notable history of hand and upper-body injuries across Davis’ career. Early in his NBA tenure, he missed time with a fractured left hand, and he has also dealt with finger injuries, shoulder sprains, and repeated upper-body contact issues that forced in-game exits. His physical playing style, heavy rim protection, post play, and contested rebounds, consistently places stress on his hands and arms.
While Davis has played through many injuries in the past, ligament damage presents a different challenge due to the risk of long-term instability if not fully healed. Even a non-surgical path would likely sideline him for an extended stretch, and any loss of grip strength or pain tolerance could affect his effectiveness upon return.
Until imaging and specialist evaluations are complete, the Mavericks will continue to monitor Davis closely. However, if surgery becomes the recommended route, Dallas must prepare for the reality that Anthony Davis could be unavailable for a significant portion of the season, dealing another blow to a team already navigating roster and health challenges.
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