Anthony Davis injury update is the brutal nightmare Mavericks should fear most

Anthony Davis showed up at the Dallas Mavericks’ bonding camp in Newport Beach, California, earlier this month, but he wasn’t on the court. Instead, the All-Star big man remained sidelined, still recovering from July eye surgery.

The Mavericks’ offseason has been exciting and hopeful, but Anthony Davis’ health is still a major concern. Although Davis joined his teammates for a bonding camp in California earlier this month, he couldn't participate in any on-court activities as he continues to recover from surgery that repaired a detached retina. For a team designed with Davis as the defensive anchor, this is not the news they wanted.

According to Marc Stein, sharpshooter Klay Thompson helped organize this mini-camp (subscription required), and while a good amount of Mavericks attended this, it's a shame that Davis can't practice yet.

Anthony Davis' setback is concerning for Dallas

Stein reported that Davis hosted a team dinner while in California, despite being unable to join the workouts. This gesture shows his leadership and dedication to staying engaged. Still, his lack of on-court activity is troubling. With the new season approaching, each week without Davis raises worries about his readiness for opening night.

The Mavericks need Davis to be a key player in their frontcourt. His ability to dominate defensively, rebound at a high level, and stretch the floor on offense makes him irreplaceable. If he isn’t fully healthy, Dallas may have to adjust roles quickly, putting Cooper Flagg or P.J. Washington into bigger responsibilities sooner than planned. This isn’t ideal for a roster that is just starting to come together.

Davis’ health has been a concern before. Injuries have followed him throughout his career, leading to doubts about his durability over an 82-game season. Now, as the Mavericks aim to build a new identity and compete in the Western Conference, his absence from team workouts adds another layer of uncertainty.

Even without playing, Davis made his presence felt. By hosting a dinner for his teammates during the Newport Beach camp, he reinforced his role as a leader in a group that mixes veterans with young talent. Moments like this build trust and connection, which could be just as valuable in the long run as extra practice in early September.

For now, the Mavericks must balance patience with urgency. Rushing Davis back could lead to more complications, but heading into the season without him fully prepared would create a gap the roster isn’t ideally equipped to fill. The presence of Thompson, Flagg, and Washington helps, but none can match Davis’ two-way impact.

The Mavericks can find some comfort in the chemistry developed at Thompson's camp, but Davis’ recovery remains the main storyline. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on whether he can return to full participation. For Dallas, it’s clear: their potential hinges on Anthony Davis being healthy, and they cannot afford any more setbacks.

Davis could quite frankly be back on the floor right now, as Stein's report about his lack of on-court participation was from earlier this month, but this seems unlikely. Him not getting a full offseason to ramp up ahead of his first full season in Dallas was the nightmare that Mavs fans feared much, and fans will be hoping that his extra time off doesn't lead to durability issues for the 10-time All-Star big man.