Dallas Mavericks star forward Anthony Davis will not require surgery on his injured left hand after he received a second opinion from specialist Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He’s expected to “heal from the injury” in approximately six weeks, according to the team.
Anthony Davis Could Still Sit Out Longer
Davis, 32, was previously expected to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in the hand and sit out several months, sources had told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
However, Davis could still sit out up to eight or more weeks despite not going through with the surgery, sources told Charania.
Davis injured his hand while defending Utah’s Lauri Markkanen on a drive late in the Mavs’ road loss to the Jazz on Thursday.
The 6-foot-10 wing exited the game with 2:08 remaining and did not return. He was reportedly “doubled over in pain” in the tunnel of the arena, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis met with his physician today and underwent a medical evaluation of his left hand. He does not require surgery and is expected to heal from the injury in approximately six weeks.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) January 14, 2026
A source also told Charania on Tuesday that the injury has “renewed Davis trade talks with multiple interested teams” since it was assumed that he would return during the playoffs.
Davis was linked to the Raptors and Hawks before the hand injury announcement was made.
Davis Responds To Report, Trade Rumors
Shortly after Charania published his initial report, Davis took to social media on Tuesday to address “lies” regarding his hand injury and potentially trade rumors.
Yall better stop listening to all these lies on these apps!
— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) January 13, 2026
Davis then responded to a post about his surgery and timeline for return by writing, “Lies!”
Lies!
— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) January 13, 2026
It remains unclear whether the Mavs will be able to trade Davis before the Feb. 5 deadline. This June’s NBA draft is the last one in which Dallas has control of its first-round pick until 2031, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Injuries Continue To Limit Davis
Since arriving in Dallas as the centerpiece of the controversial Luka Doncic trade at last February’s trade deadline, Davis has dealt with multiple injuries that have limited him to just 29 total regular-season games.
In addition to the hand injury, Davis suffered an adductor strain in his Mavericks debut last season that sidelined him for 18 games. He then missed 14 consecutive games this season due to a left calf strain.
Davis also left a nationally televised matchup with the Warriors on Christmas Day because of right adductor soreness, which sidelined him the final two games of 2025.
Through 20 appearances (all starts) this season, Davis has averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.7 blocks, and 31.3 minutes per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 27% from 3-point range.
The Mavs are 10-10 with Davis in the lineup this season but only 5-15 when he’s out.
