The Dallas Mavericks received a huge health update on 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis on Saturday.
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According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the 6-foot-10 Kentucky product suited up for his first five-on-five action since having eye surgery two months ago.
Mavericks All-Star big man Anthony Davis returned to the practice floor this week for some 5-on-5 play, @TheSteinLine has learned.
It’s believed to be Davis’ first game-speed action since it emerged in July that he needed eye surgery to mend a detached retina.
📷: @DLLS_Sports pic.twitter.com/6Nzknkujrm
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 20, 2025
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in July that the 32-year-old power forward went under the knife to repair a detached retina, following several facial impacts suffered during the season.
Davis gears up for a comeback season
Davis arrived in Los Angeles as the present-day centerpiece component of Dallas’ shocking blockbuster deal to ditch then-reigning Western Conference Finals MVP guard Luka Doncic.
The Mavericks also acquired 3-and-D swingman Max Christie and a single first-round pick, while having to surrender a 2025 second-rounder to the Utah Jazz to help the Lakers offload the contract of 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was later waived and picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dallas Mavericks All-Star Anthony Davis underwent a procedure to repair a detached retina that he suffered during the season, sources tell ESPN. Davis played through multiple hits to the face last year. He is expected to be healthy for next training camp. pic.twitter.com/Yz8vxBlp06
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2025
At the time of the eye surgery, Charania reported that it was anticipated Davis would return by the start of training camp. With that moment now around the corner, it appears he has made good on that projected timeline.
An adductor injury limited Davis to just nine games with Dallas after arriving to the team in early February. He notched averages of 20.0 points while slashing an uninspiring .461/.233/.688, 10.1 boards, 4.4 dimes and 2.2 rejections across 29.6 minutes per.
A five-time All-Defensive Teamer and All-NBA honoree, Davis when healthy is still one of the league’s best players. But, outside of a stunningly healthy 2023-24, that injury has been a frequent impediment to his availability.
The arrival of No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg out of Duke has totally reset the Mavericks’ long-term outlook.
While the team had gone confoundingly old after the Doncic deal — committing major money to 33-year-old All-Star Kyrie Irving, Davis, and 35-year-old former All-Star wing Klay Thompson — Flagg now effectively gives Dallas a “two timelines” window. Can Flagg become a high-level NBA player before Irving and Davis age out of being All-Stars? Time will tell.
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