Dallas Mavericks star power forward/center Anthony Davis is expected to sit out multiple weeks because of a left adductor strain, sources told ESPN on Sunday night.
His absence could stretch to a month, sources said, because of an injury that cut short his spectacular debut with his new franchise. Davis, the headliner of the Mavs’ return from the controversial trade of 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, exited Saturday’s win over the Houston Rockets with 1:37 left in the third quarter after recording 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in 31 minutes.
He was ruled out of Monday’s home game against the Sacramento Kings when the Mavs released the evening injury report.
Davis, 31, downplayed concern about the injury postgame, saying he was “very confident” that it was not a significant setback. Davis sat out the previous five games — his final three with the Lakers and first two with the Mavs — because of an abdominal strain.
“Just the leg got tight, like a little spasm,” Davis said Saturday. “Just came back and tried to get it loose and everything. Obviously, dealing with the ab strain still, so just tried to get it loose. It wouldn’t really loosen up and let go, but it’s nothing serious. I’m fine.”
Starting forward P.J. Washington, who sat out the second half of the win over the Rockets because of a sprained right ankle, was listed as questionable against the Kings. Key reserves Max Christie (right shoulder strain) and Dante Exum (left Achilles tightness) are also questionable.