Will Anthony Davis need surgery? What we know

Finally, some good news from an Anthony Davis injury update.

ESPN had reported Tuesday that the Dallas Mavericks’ oft-injured center was expected to miss several months, including the remainder of the ongoing NBA season, due to ‘expected’ surgery to repair ligament damage in his hand. However, it appears Davis’ injury is not as severe as initially expected.

In a statement released Tuesday night, the Mavericks said Davis will not need surgery.

‘Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis met with his physician today and underwent a medical evaluation of his left hand. He does not require surgery and is expected to heal from the injury in approximately six weeks,’ the team said in a statement.

That means Davis could return to action before the end of February.

When was Anthony Davis injured?

Davis was injured late in the fourth quarter on Jan. 8 in a loss against the Utah Jazz, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.

How will this affect Anthony Davis’ trade value?

According to ESPN’s initial report, the market for Davis in trade talks has intensified, with a possibility of a return to action should he be dealt to a team squarely in the playoff picture.

Now, Davis’ market will likley increase even further with the possibility of obtaining the center’s services for a final stretch run heading into the playoffs.

Davis, a 10-time All-Star, was dealt from the Los Angeles Lakers to Dallas last February for Luka Doncic, a trade that stunned the NBA world, but he has only played 29 games since he joined the team. He seemed to dispute the initial ESPN report in a social media message, posting ‘Yall better stop listening to all these lies on these apps!’

How have the Mavericks performed without their stars?

This season, the Mavericks are 15-25 and are still without the services of guard Kyrie Irving, who has yet to make a return from a torn ACL. The team has gone 5-15 in games this season without Davis in the lineup.

Davis, 32, is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks in the 20 games he has appeared in this season.