When the Dallas Mavericks opened the 2025‑26 season with lofty ambitions centered on building a dominant front‑court around Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II, that blueprint suffered a serious blow when NBA insider Marc Stein reported both stars would miss multiple games due to injury.
According to Stein, both Davis and Lively II are battling injuries that threaten to derail the front‑court blueprint the Dallas Mavericks built for this season.
Mavericks Face Frontcourt Crisis as Davis and Lively Sit
Anthony Davis: The Big Anchor Sliding
Davis was anticipated to transform Dallas’ identity and anchor the inside going into the season. Rather, his availability now generates just as many doubts as his potential. He has missed many games due to a low-grade left calf strain. Coach Jason Kidd stated that the team is handling the situation cautiously, characterizing his condition as “left lower-leg soreness” and stressing that he “didn’t want to take any chances.”
With a big who can still score at all three levels, Davis’ absence damages Dallas’ screen-roll gravity, rim-protection presence, and space in addition to undermining his starting lineup status. Missing size and athleticism at an early age is not only bothersome, but also a liability in the Western Conference.
Dereck Lively II: The Young Tower Delayed
With his mobility, lob threat, and defensive skills, Lively II appeared to be the ideal complement to Davis going into the season as Dallas’ long-term inside piece. However, the injury bug also struck here; he has missed several games in a row due to a right knee sprain.
Without him, the Mavericks have less than ideal spacing, fewer athletic rebounders, and a narrower rotation at center, leaving a void behind Dallas’ front-court. This is about a development curve stopping and a blueprint lacking a key pillar, not just missed minutes.
The Ripple Effect: Roster, Strategy & Expectations
Although the individual injuries are obvious, the overall effect is more profound. In order to change matchups and create an advantage, Dallas built their team on having two dynamic bigs, one already established, the other rising. The squad is now rushing for minutes, changing lineups, and worrying about depth. In the West, the margin for error rapidly decreases in the absence of Davis and Lively II.
Broader Questions: Depth, Health & Sustainability
The setbacks give rise to structural issues. Dallas has to assess if its depth chart, conditioning, and load management strategies meet the needs of developing around high-impact big men. The injuries also compel the team to think about whether or not its current window is sustainable. The team may be chasing potential rather than managing results if they rely on players with injury histories, regardless of their quality.
Looking Ahead: Stabilization is Key
For Dallas to reset its front‑court foundation, three priorities stand out:
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Ensure Davis returns fully healthy, not just available, because recurring leg issues can cascade.
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Protect and develop Lively II carefully, recognizing his path to impact requires stability and minutes.
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Bolster depth immediately, because when your two projected cornerstones are sidelined, the rest must step up or the plan unravels.
The Last Word
Injuries are an inevitable part of the NBA. But when they strike both the franchise’s anchor big man and its rising interior piece, the impact can reshape a season. Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II were supposed to define Dallas’ next chapter. Now, their health may determine whether that chapter even begins.
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