Mavericks get full Anthony Davis experience in his first game

Davis dominated right out of the gate for his new team, putting up 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in the first half alone. He immediately showed why Mavs GM Nico Harrison wanted to add the 10-time All-Star and All-Defensive first-teamer, even at the expense of Luka Doncic.

Then, Davis showed the downside of the AD experience. With just over two minutes left in the third quarter, Davis grimaced as Houston's Alperen Sengun drove for a dunk. He clutched his midsection and headed to the locker room.

One week before the trade, Davis suffered an abdominal strain in the first quarter of a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. It was one game after another monster performance, a 42-point, 23-rebound effort in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. It's been a constant theme in Davis' career: He's incredible when he's on the court, but he's also incredibly prone to injuries.

From 2020-22, Davis played 76 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, just under 50 percent of the team's games. In 2022-23, he missed 26 games. Last season was his healthiest in six years, playing 76 games, but he's had issues with his back, feet, ankles, calves, adductor, wrist and knees, all in the last five years.

Harrison has said that Doncic's injuries and questionable conditioning were a factor in Dallas making the blockbuster trade. But Davis, five years older than Doncic, doesn't feel like a safe injury bet either.

What might make Dallas feel better is the performance of another player from the blockbuster deal. Max Christie scored 23 points, including 10 in the last six minutes, to help the Mavericks defeat the Houston Rockets, 116-105. Davis might have only lasted three quarters, but Christie is showing that he wasn't just a throw-in to the deal.