Mavericks’ Anthony Davis ends debut with lower body injury

Dallas – Anthony Davis’ dominant debut for Dallas Mavericks was abbreviated when he suffered what the team called an “lower body injury.” He was announced as questionable to return with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Davis, Headliner in Dallas’ return of the Luka Doncic trade, which had a large pregame protest outside the American Airlines Center, went out with 1:37 back in the third quarter and went against the dressing room while connecting his middle section.

Davis had 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in 31 minutes before leaving. He had missed the previous five matches – his last three with Los Angeles Lakers and the first two with Mavs – due to an abdominal injury.

Davis was wounded while trying to contest Alpsen Sengun’s driving thump as an aid to the defender. Davis went down into the paint while holding his middle section.

Mavs GM Nico Harrison’s decision to act 25-year-old Face of the Franchise Doncic, who led the league to score last season before leading the Dallas to the NBA final, resulted in outrage among the fan base.

The pregame protest participated in approximately 1,000 people, many of whom held signs and participated in songs that were critical of Harrison.

Harrison, as Sources said has received several death threats, did not sit in his normal seat in the lower bowl of the arena.

Davis had the arena rocking from opening possession – when he threw a lob to center Daniel Gafford – until his early exit.

After a setback with 7:34 back in the first quarter-Davis’ fourth bucket in the first four-plus minutes he roar from the crowd by waving the arms in the stands when the rockets called Timeout.

“I’m here,” Davis cried as he pointed to the American Airlines Center Court.

Davis, 31, a 10-time All-Star selection, has had durability problems in much of his career. He played a career high 76 games last season.