The Dallas Mavericks will come face-to-face with the Boston Celtics and how Anthony Davis could not get the buzz. The former Lakers fan and his new fanbase are focusing on the injury report for the next matchup. The excitement is getting real as Davis may make his debut with the team.
After a blockbuster trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the Mavs are sailing uncharted waters. Davis, who has been dealing with an abdominal muscle strain, was recently upgraded to questionable for the game. While there’s no guarantee he will surely play the game, optimism is the key for Dallas fans. If he gets the green light to play, it will be a crucial moment for the Mavs while they establish their new identity in the post-Doncic era.
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. Boston Celtics:
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 5, 2025
Anthony Davis: Questionable (Abdominal Muscle Strain)
Dereck Lively II: Out (Right Ankle Stress Fracture)
P.J. Washington: Out (Personal Reasons)
Dwight Powell: Out (Right Hip Strain)
Caleb Martin: Out (Trade Pending)
However, Dallas will be missing several key players for the game. Dereck Lively II is sidelined with an ankle injury, and P.J. Washington is out due to personal reasons. Dwight Powell is dealing with a hip issue, and Caleb Martin remains unavailable due to a pending trade. However, this thin roster will only add pressure on Dallas against Boston as they are coming from a four-game win streak.
With the All-Star break approaching, both teams are eager to secure a win heading into the time off. The Mavs, having struggled with three consecutive losses since the Doncic trade, need to rally and find their footing. Meanwhile, the Celtics are looking to continue their momentum after a good win over the Cavaliers.
Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Names The Clear Winner Of Shocking Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade
Is Anthony Davis A Fit For The Current Mavericks?
While the trade has finally taken place, uncertainty is still at its peak. Now that Anthony Davis is at the Mavericks camp, the biggest question is his fit in the team structure. Historically, Davis has expressed a preference for playing the power forward position. He firmly believes that he performs best alongside a traditional center.
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However, with the Mavericks already featuring starting-caliber centers in Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, Davis may find himself needing to adapt. While the Dallas front office sees potential in a two-big lineup, recent trends suggest that such configurations are not always optimal for Davis.
Anthony Davis says he "thinks that's the plan" regarding him playing power forward.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 4, 2025
He's eager to play with the Dallas Mavericks' centers: "[Dereck Lively II] is dealing with the injury, but [Daniel Gafford] has been playing phenomenally." pic.twitter.com/T9emG900BR
His time with the Lakers revealed that when he played alongside traditional bigs, the team often struggled with spacing and offensive efficiency. The success of the Lakers’ championship run in 2020 came from Davis primarily playing at the 4 next to a center. Yet his best individual impact came when he was allowed to shift to the 5 for flexibility and speed.
The challenge for the Mavericks will hinge on their effective offensive scheme that maximizes Davis’s skills while maintaining floor spacing. As Dallas attempts to transition from a pick-and-roll-centric offense built around Luka Doncic, incorporating Davis may require significant adjustments.
