Conditioning and fitness is what led to Luka Doncic’s departure, according to reports. The Mavericks made a bold move, betting on Anthony Davis over Luka Doncic in a shocking trade with the Lakers. But that gamble is already backfiring. Dallas believed Davis was the more reliable option to help them contend right away. Instead, he barely got started before suffering an adductor injury in his Mavericks debut. Talk about brutal timing!

Davis is facing yet another setback, this time with a left adductor strain that could be linked to a lingering abdominal issue. And let’s be real—this isn’t what the Mavericks signed up for. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that he will be out for weeks if not for a month, which means that the big man will miss the opportunity to team up with LeBron James during the All-Star weekend.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Davis will also miss the All-Star Game and Adam Silver will choose his replacement. Lauri Markkanen is making a strong case for selection in the West, putting up solid numbers across the board.

He’s filling up the stat sheet every night, dropping 19.3 points while grabbing 6.2 boards and dishing out 1.7 assists per game. And that’s just the offense. Defensively? He’s sneaky—0.7 steals here, 0.4 blocks there—just enough to make opponents think twice.

What really makes him stand out, though, is the efficiency. The guy’s a walking bucket, hitting 42.4% of his shots and knocking down threes at a solid 35.1% clip. And when Markkanen gets to the line? Forget it! He’s automatic, converting 86.4% of his free throws. Basically, if he’s shooting, there’s a good chance it’s going in.

Domantas Sabonis just keeps doing his thing—no fuss, no flash, just dominance. Every night, he’s out there bullying defenses with 20.5 points a night while snagging 14.3 rebounds and tossing 6.2 dimes like a point guard trapped in a big man’s body. His efficiency? Absurd! A 66.9% true shooting mark puts him in elite territory. The Kings lean on him heavily, and for good reason—he’s their anchor in the paint and the franchise’s key building block moving forward.

Meanwhile, Trae Young is reminding everyone why he’s still one of the most dangerous floor generals in the league. He’s dropping 23.5 points, and his 11.4 assists aren’t just numbers—they’re highlight reels waiting to happen. Add 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals a night to the mix, and it’s clear Young is doing it all. Whether it’s a deep three or threading the needle on a fast break, Trae’s making a case to be in every conversation.

It all depends upon Silver now to make his choice. We don’t know for sure who Silver will pick. Although one thing is for sure: the Mavs don’t look in a good position now.

Mavericks on the back foot after Anthony Davis’ injury

Davis had barely settled into his new role with the Mavericks before disaster struck. He had already missed two weeks with an abdominal injury back in L.A., but his Dallas debut started off strong—dropping 26 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists in just 31 minutes. Then, in the third quarter, things went south. While trying to defend Jalen Green on a pick-and-roll before shifting over to Alperen Sengun, Davis suddenly collapsed with a non-contact injury. Just like that, he was out.

Now, the Mavericks are in a serious bind. Their frontcourt is looking thin, with Dereck Lively already sidelined due to a stress fracture in his ankle. Initially, the team expected to check on him after four weeks, but word is he might not return at all this season. To make matters worse, Caleb Martin—another trade deadline addition—has a hip injury so bad that the 76ers had to toss in a second-round pick just to finalize the deal.

Dallas took a huge swing trading Luka for Davis, believing it gave them a better shot at contending right away. But with Davis now on the injury report and Doncic recovering from his own calf issue, that plan has gone sideways fast. The Mavericks are barely holding onto the eighth seed at 28-25, just 1.5 games ahead of a Golden State squad that just picked up Jimmy Butler.

Meanwhile, over in L.A., Doncic could make his Lakers debut as soon as Monday. It’s way too early to call a winner in this blockbuster deal, but let’s be real—the Lakers have to be feeling pretty good right now. They’re cruising in the fifth seed, winning nine of their last ten games, while the Mavericks are scrambling just to keep their playoff hopes alive.