AD downplays lower-body injury after win in Mavs debut
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis didn't return to Saturday's 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets after exiting late in the third quarter with a lower-body injury.
Davis awkwardly fell to the floor without contacting another player and promptly headed to the locker room. The 10-time All-Star had missed his last five games with an abdominal injury.
Davis told reporters postgame that he felt tightness in his quad/groin area and that the issue is "not serious," according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
The 31-year-old added that he's "very confident" that he didn't suffer a significant setback in his recovery from the abdominal injury he sustained while with the Lakers, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
Davis was off to a scorching start in his Mavs debut, posting 26 points, 16 boards, seven assists, and three blocks in 31 minutes. He was the first player in the play-by-play era to tally at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in a half, according to Mavs PR.
The Mavs also lost forward P.J. Washington midgame after he sustained a right ankle sprain.
Dallas has won back-to-back games after dropping its first two contests since its shocking trade of Luka Doncic.
Ex-Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie had another strong performance for the Mavs, tallying 23 points off the bench.