NBA: Anthony Davis goes off injured during Dallas Mavericks debut against Houston Rockets
Anthony Davis made an outstanding debut for the Dallas Mavericks, having been cut for contactless injuries in a 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets.
Davis, 31, moved to Dallas from the Los Angeles Lakers last week Blockbuster trade Involved in NBA All-Star Luka Doncic.
Although fans protested Doncic’s turn to the Lakers before the game, Davis scored 26 points with 16 rebounds and seven assists before withdrawing.
He fell to the floor and clung to the lower half as he tried to defend Houston’s Alperen Sengun’s driving dunk.
Mavericks’ Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving also scored 13 points.
Davis recovered from abdominal pressure suffered in his final game against the Lakers on January 28, missing out on the Mavericks’ victory against the Boston Celtics.
He was warmly welcomed by the crowd when he assisted Daniel Gafford early in the first quarter.
The Mavericks rose 65-48 at halftime, but their lead dropped to two points as Houston gathered in the third quarter.
Naji Marshall’s two 3-pointers and Irving’s score brought Dallas back into the last 15 minutes as they caused a sixth defeat against their opponents.
Davis was later injured and told reporters: “My legs are tight, like a little cramp.
“I came back trying to relax it while still dealing with abdominal pressure. But I managed to relax and it was nothing serious. I’m fine.”
