The Mavs won 116-105 in their first home game without Luka Doncic.
DALLAS — Anthony Davis made his debut on Saturday for the Dallas Mavericks, his first game back from an abdominal strain that kept him out since Jan. 28 when he was on the Lakers.
Davis dominated early with three straight assists to start the game and scoring his first basket for Dallas on a turnaround 6-foot jumper. Davis either assisted or scored eight out of the Mavericks’ first nine baskets.
Just before the third quarter ended, Anthony Davis went down with a non-contact injury. Per the KFAA broadcast and Mavs PR, Davis suffered a “lower body injury” and he did not return to the game.
Davis scored 26 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots against the Houston Rockets. The Mavs won the game 116-105 in their first home game without Luka Doncic.
“It was weird,” head coach Jason Kidd admitted about playing at home without Doncic. “Everybody wants to talk about the trade .. yeah, it’s different. We’ve got to keep pushing forward. It was weird, but knowing the business of basketball happens and you’ve got to play the games.”
Dallas has won two straight games after beating defending champion Boston Celtics on Thursday.
“I guess [he’s] alright,” Kidd said about Davis. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
Davis told WFAA after the game he felt “a little spasm” with his previous abdomen injury and said it’s “nothing serious.”
Davis’ debut came one day after his introductory press conference, he told the media he understands the fan base’s emotions and what Doncic meant for Dallas Mavericks basketball. He added that he is determined to win the fan base over.
“I get who Luka was to this franchise, to this city,” Davis said Friday at his introductory news conference. “I’m never going to downplay that. Just how I know what I meant to the city of LA. So I’m not surprised by the fans’ reaction and the city’s reaction. It’s my job to come in and play basketball and do what I’m supposed to do and give the fans hope and reassurance on why Nico brought me here.”
Davis joined the Mavs after averaging 25.7 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game for the Lakers. The last time Davis suited up for a full game in a Lakers uniform (Jan. 27), he dropped 42 points and 23 rebounds on the Charlotte Hornets. Davis left the next Lakers game against the Sixers on Jan. 28 after playing 10 minutes.
Dallas will host the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
