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Game-changing 0.9 second buzzer beater | 00:30
Anthony Davis made an enormous statement in his Dallas Mavericks debut, before injury struck.
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Davis, who was last week traded from the LA Lakers to Dallas for Luka Doncic in a shock move the Mavericks have copped heavy scrutiny for, sent a reminder to the NBA world that he’s no slouch.
The 31-year old racked up 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in a dominant first half of Dallas’ home game against Houston on Sunday (AEDT), leading the Mavs to a 65-48 advantage.
With it, Davis became the first player since 1996/1997 to post 24-plus points, 13-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in a half and the first player since
It also made Davis just the third player in Mavericks history to record 20-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in any half, joining Doncic (twice) and Michael Finley.
However, Davis, who was coming off an abdominal strain that delayed his Mavs debut, late in the third quarter exited the game and went to the locker room clutching his ab area after appearing to suffer a non-contact injury.
Davis was listed as doubtful to return with what Dallas simply called a “lower body injury.”
It came after Davis was formally introduced as a Maverick for the first time on Saturday, saying “I’m gonna give the city lift back” after fans have been left inconsolable by Doncic’s departure.
“I get who Luka was to this franchise, to this city. I’m never going to downplay that, just how I know what I meant to the city of L.A.,” Davis said, via the Dallas Morning News.
“I’m not surprised by the fans’ reaction and the city’s reaction. But it’s my job to come in and play basketball and do what I’m supposed to do, and give the fans hope and reassurance on why Nico brought me here.
“I don’t know how tomorrow is going to be, as far as the reaction, but I can’t control that,” he added.
“What I can control is winning basketball games and helping the team do whatever I can. But at the end of the day, I’m going to get a city, give them life back.”
Continue playing like he did in the first half of his life as a Maverick and you sense fans will quickly warm to their new superstar after so much angst over the trade.
Donic is set to make his Lakers debut on Tuesday against Utah.
MORE TO COME.
