Wizards are trapped in Anthony Davis' nightmare cycle the Mavericks know too well

Anthony Davis’ tenure with the Dallas Mavericks was forgettable at best. The 33-year-old big man appeared in just 29 games before being dealt to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline. And like his brief stint in Dallas, his time in the nation’s capital has been defined by the same issue Mavericks fans know all too well: availability.

Davis hasn’t played a single second for the Wizards since arriving on February 5. To be fair, he suffered ligament damage in his left hand in early January, which cut his time with the Dallas short. So this isn’t a case of him simply sitting out. Still, a January 14 update indicated he was expected to heal in roughly six weeks.

Anthony Davis' time in Dallas was defined by injuries

Six weeks from the January 14 report would have put Davis on track to return by late February. Factoring in a typical ramp-up period, an early-to-mid March debut felt most likely. Instead, nothing.

Davis is running out of time to make an appearance in D.C., and it’s increasingly likely that it won’t happen this season. In their most recent update, the Wizards shared Davis was reevaluated in Los Angeles on March 30 and has since been cleared for light contact — a step forward, but not one that guarantees he’ll see the floor anytime soon.

With just six games left in the 2025–26 season, it’s increasingly unlikely Davis sees the floor at all. At this point, bringing him back would feel unnecessary. Why risk it when the season is essentially over, especially for a player with his injury history?

There isn’t a reason. This constant uncertainty is exactly what defined Davis’ abbreviated stint in Dallas. Fans never felt comfortable with his status, and for good reason. A groin strain in his debut sidelined him for 18 straight games, and he still missed three of the final 11.

Then, to begin the 2025–26 campaign, Davis suffered a calf strain just five games in, costing him 15 games. After returning and missing three more along the way, he suffered ligament damage in his hand just 41 days later.

The most consecutive games Davis played in a Dallas uniform? Five.

Washington is now stuck in the same cycle

With his recovery dragging on, fans are left wondering if they’ll see Davis at all this season. The answer is likely no, and it’s part of a cycle that doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. At 33, he has never been a picture of health. Even excluding this season, he’s averaged roughly 60 appearances per year, and aside from a healthy 2023–24 campaign, he hasn’t topped 60 games since 2019–20.

For Wizards fans, this isn’t just a frustrating stretch. It’s the beginning of a familiar cycle. The uncertainty, the missed time, the constant waiting for a return that may or may not come. It’s a pattern Mavericks fans know all too well. And if history is any indication, it’s one that isn’t going away anytime soon.