Watch: Anthony Davis makes immediate impact in Mavericks debut

Moments later, he followed that with a jumper out of a pick-and-roll set with point guard Kyrie Irving. 

Davis was amped after a put-back slam dunk when he cleaned the boards off his own miss, giving him six points, four rebounds, three assists and a block in the game's first four minutes.

Davis also displayed his defensive prowess. He rejected Rockets center Alperen Sengun in the post, leading to a transition field goal for the Mavericks and a 10-point lead, 25-15.

The Mavericks have been under fire since general manager Nico Harrison shockingly traded five-time first-team All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, 25, plus Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Lakers for Davis, backup guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick last Saturday.

One outstanding quarter by Davis won't erase the anger and betrayal many felt after Dallas parted with its generational talent who led the team to the NBA Finals last June.

But it is a promising sign that Davis was such an immediate difference-maker. Instead of continuing to lament what could have been with Doncic, Davis has given the Mavericks a glimpse of what might be.