The Dallas Mavericks will have leading scorer and rebounder Anthony Davis back in the lineup in their first game of 2026. Davis will return to the floor against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday after missing the last two games with what the Mavericks described as right adductor soreness.

While Dallas fans are likely exhausted from discussing the trade that saw Nico Harrison send off Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis, the constant injuries have been a significant issue throughout Davis' career, especially during his tenure as a Maverick.

The Mavericks said Davis (right groin spasms) would not return to the game. ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania reported Friday that Davis "sustained a minor groin strain" and is likely to miss a few games.

Anthony Davis’ time in Dallas has been defined by stop-start momentum and mounting injury concerns, with availability again becoming a question. While Luka Doncic has grown into a franchise pillar for the LA Lakers a year after the split,

Mavericks star center Anthony Davis left Thursday's Christmas Day loss to the Warriors with a groin injury. The official diagnosis is a mild groin strain, according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, which will cause Davis to "likely miss a few games."

Recent reports have revealed the Atlanta Hawks' blockbuster trade package for Anthony Davis as the deadline approaches.

Davis has suffered a minor groin strain and is expected to miss a few games, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. Stotts said Davis’ average time missed for a minor groin strain is about eight days, meaning two or three games. Davis left the Mavericks’ Christmas Day game against the Warriors in the second quarter with the injury and did not return.

Heading into Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Davis is listed as "questionable" with right adductor soreness. He was also listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings before being ruled out, and it seems like the same situation could happen here.