Mavericks say Anthony Davis will not require surgery on hand injury

What began as growing belief that the Dallas Mavericks’ star big man was headed for surgery ended with a very different conclusion Tuesday night, when the team announced that Davis will not require an operation on his injured left hand after seeking an evaluation from his own physician.

The development capped a chaotic stretch of updates that unfolded throughout the day. Early reports suggested Davis would undergo surgery to repair ligament damage, potentially sidelining him for an extended period. Davis himself pushed back publicly, taking to X, formerly Twitter, to dispute the narrative.

“Lies! But yall keep listening to them,” Davis wrote in one post.

Hours later, Dallas clarified the situation, revealing that medical evaluation determined the injury should heal naturally in approximately six weeks without surgery. For a franchise already navigating uncertainty, the update offered clarity—if not full peace of mind.

The timing remains delicate. According to ESPN, the Mavericks are still weighing trade scenarios involving Davis, particularly with the possibility that he could return later this season and help a contender. That reality underscores the complicated position Dallas finds itself in, balancing health, contracts, and long-term direction.

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UPDATE: Anthony Davis will not have surgery on his injured left hand and “is expected to heal” from the injury in about six weeks, the Mavericks announced Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/3SM1TRlAj4

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) January 14, 2026

Davis sustained the injury last Thursday while defending Utah star Lauri Markkanen on a drive to the basket. He was visibly shaken on the play, clutching his hand before exiting with 2:08 remaining, and was unable to contest Markkanen’s next score. An MRI followed the next day, prompting Davis to seek multiple medical opinions before a final course of action was determined.

All of this has unfolded less than a year into Davis’ tenure with the Mavericks, who acquired him in the highly scrutinized and ill-fated trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since arriving in Dallas, availability has once again become a storyline. Davis has appeared in just 29 games as a Maverick—nine last season and 20 this year.

Now nearing his 33rd birthday in March, Davis remains one of the league’s highest-paid stars. He is earning $54.1 million this season, is owed $58.5 million next year, and holds a $62.8 million player option for the 2027–28 campaign.

When healthy, his impact is undeniable. This season, Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. Whether those numbers will again surface in a Mavericks uniform—or elsewhere—remains one of the NBA’s most closely watched questions as his recovery clock begins without surgery.

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