The Mavericks and general manager Nico Harrison have received their fair share of criticism in the week following the Luka Doncic trade. But maybe, just maybe, they could be vindicated.
Anthony Davis made his debut Saturday against the Rockets in the Mavericks’ first home game since the controversial trade. The deal was immensely unpopular in Dallas and, unfairly, Davis and fellow former Laker Max Christie have received backlash as fans grieve.
However, Davis did not let all of the outside noise shake him. His Mavericks career started in the very best way possible.
Here is what happened in Davis’ debut.
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Anthony Davis stats vs. Rockets
- 31 minutes
- 26 points
- 16 rebounds
- 7 assists
- 3 blocks
- 10-18 FG
- 2-2 3PT
- 4-6 FT
Davis was not just good in his debut against Houston, he was fantastic.
Davis finished the first half with 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He was 9-13 from the field and 2-2 from 3. According to Stathead, no player since 1996 has ever had the stat line Davis had in the first half.
Davis was hot immediately, finishing the first quarter with 14 points (6-8 FG, 1-1 3PT), eight rebounds, three assists and a block. His first quarter marked the first time he has accomplished that stat line in a quarter in his career. He is also the only player with those numbers in a quarter this season.
To tie a bow on his impressive start, Davis became the first Maverick with a 20-10 half since — you guessed it — Doncic.
Unfortunately for Davis and the Mavericks, he left the game in the second half with a lower-body injury, ending his debut after 31 minutes of play.
Anthony Davis highlights
Here are some of Davis’ best plays from the first half:
ANTHONY DAVIS TO GAFFORD 😱
First play as a Maverick for AD 💪 pic.twitter.com/InKR5fmFaZ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 8, 2025
AD’s FIRST BUCKET WITH THE @dallasmavs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N4kf6JOm68
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2025
ANTHONY DAVIS IS HERE 😤
6 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK in just FOUR MINUTES 😳 pic.twitter.com/6n7ALQs8vc
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 8, 2025
KYRIE IRVING — ANTHONY DAVIS LOB. 🔥🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 8, 2025
That’s Anthony Davis for ya. pic.twitter.com/rrbAz37eur
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) February 8, 2025
What did the Mavericks trade for Anthony Davis?
The Mavericks were ridiculed all week for trading for Davis.
To be fair, Dallas traded away Doncic, a five-time first-team All-NBA 25-year-old. Still, Davis is not chips.
Here are the full trade details:
| Team | Received |
| Mavericks | Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 unprotected first-round pick |
| Lakers | Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris |
| Jazz | Jalen Hood-Schifino, Clippers 2025 second-round pick, Mavericks 2025 second-round pick |
MORE LUKA DONCIC TRADE NEWS:
