Is Anthony Davis Playing Tonight? Latest Injury Update on Mavericks Star for Clippers Game
The Dallas Mavericks have endured a disastrous start to the 2025–26 NBA season. Expected to contend in the Western Conference, they instead rank among the league’s worst teams and dismissed general manager Nico Harrison less than 15 games into the campaign.
Yet the roster still bears the imprint of Harrison’s tenure. A central concern remains the health of the team’s marquee acquisition, Anthony Davis, who has missed the past seven games. His potential return against the Los Angeles Clippers looms as a key storyline.
Will Anthony Davis Play Against the Clippers?
The second NBA Cup matchup for both squads is one of the final opportunities they are going to get to come out of an early-season hole. For Dallas, that dip is apparent in their record, as they sit in 14th place in the West at 3-9.
Davis’ health has played a factor in their failure, as the superstar power forward/center hybrid has been out for the last seven games with a mild calf strain. In the meantime, the team has been dreadful offensively, even if rookie Cooper Flagg continues to show flashes.
Dallas received a combination of encouraging and discouraging updates ahead of the Clippers game. Dereck Lively II, who missed a month with a right knee sprain, will return to the floor. However, Davis remains out, joined by P.J. Washington and Dante Exum. Davis was seen at shootaround after missing practice the previous day, spending time with teammates and head coach Jason Kidd.
The Dallas Mavericks upgraded Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain) to available against the LA Clippers.
P.J. Washington (left shoulder strain), Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Danté Exum (right knee injury management) are out.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) November 14, 2025
With Davis still managing injury issues — and with the organization moving forward without Harrison — the broader question now shifts to the Mavericks’ long-term direction. One option is to stay the course with the current roster and hope Kyrie Irving’s eventual return provides the offensive lift the team desperately needs.
Or, as the rumors are increasingly predicting, a potential teardown could be on the board. In that case, Davis would be near the top of the list of candidates who could be moved. As a result, it makes sense for the franchise to be extra cautious about bringing him back.
Before he was dismissed, Harrison had pushed for Davis to rejoin the lineup, an idea Davis supported. The medical staff, however, advised against it — a stance owner Patrick Dumont backed.
