The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2025-26 campaign with championship aspirations. Despite sending Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, the front office assembled a loaded roster featuring Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and D’Angelo Russell alongside rookie phenom Cooper Flagg. But the results haven’t matched the hype.
Dallas has won just five of its first 20 games, sitting 14th in the Western Conference, only two wins ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans. With General Manager Nico Harrison fired and the team spiraling, all eyes were on Davis as he returned to the court.
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What Did Anthony Davis Say After His Return Against the Lakers?
Davis watched the last 14 games from the sidelines due to a calf strain, a stretch that saw the organization make major leadership changes. His return on Black Friday against his former team was supposed to provide a spark, but the Lakers spoiled the homecoming. The Mavericks fell 129-119, and Davis showed some rust, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Despite the loss, the big man refused to let the team’s rough start break his confidence.
He said via Dallas Hoops Journal, “We’re still playing basketball, we’re trying to compete. We are competing, we’re playing for each other, and we’re playing together. I remember when Brooklyn started off 5-20 and ended up at the four seed.”
Anthony Davis on the Dallas Mavericks:
“We are competing, we’re playing for each other, and we’re playing together. I remember when Brooklyn started off 5-20 and ended up at the four seed. I’m not saying we’re comparing ourselves to that or that we’re going to start off 5-20,… pic.twitter.com/PgIQBvKrsr
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) November 29, 2025
“I’m not saying we’re comparing ourselves to that or that we’re going to start off 5-20, but we just have to keep competing. There were just a couple of plays here and there that hurt us, but we can’t complain, we keep fighting. I feel like we’re right there,” Davis added.
Davis’ message to the locker room is clear: panic is not an option. With more than 60 games remaining in the season, there is plenty of time to turn things around. However, the roster faces immediate challenges. Irving appears unlikely to return anytime soon, leaving a significant void in the backcourt.
Head coach Jason Kidd can rely on Russell to handle the point guard duties, but the team’s success will likely depend on the developing chemistry between Davis and Flagg. It might take time to find the right formula, but this group still possesses enough talent to fight for wins in the West.