‘My Goal Hasn’t Changed’: Anthony Davis Eager To Lead Dallas Mavericks To First Championship Since 2011

Grant AfsethSeptember 30, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Anthony Davis didn’t waver when asked about his outlook entering the 2025-26 season. After a year that ended with frustration and injury, his message to Mavericks fans was direct.

“Same as last year at my press conference: my goal hasn’t changed. I want to bring a championship here,” Davis said. “We’ve got a good team. The key is health — staying healthy. I’m happy and excited to be here, and I want to win here.”

This season marks Davis’ first full campaign in Dallas after arriving in last year’s blockbuster trade. In nine games with the Mavericks, he averaged 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, helping Dallas to a 6-3 record. Across the season with the Lakers and Mavericks combined, he put up 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 51 games, earning his 10th All-Star selection.

Anthony Davis Faced Injuries and Recovery

Davis’ Mavericks debut on Feb. 8, against Houston showcased his impact immediately: 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists. and three blocks — the most rebounds ever in a franchise debut. But late in that same game, he suffered a left adductor strain that sidelined him for 18 straight contests, not returning until late March. He’s focused on playing as many games as he can this season.

“One thing I want to be different from last year is try to be on the floor,” he said. “I just want to be on the floor as much as possible because I know that gives us a better chance to win.”

The setback followed an abdominal strain earlier in the year, then a detached retina suffered on April 2 when he took an inadvertent elbow from Daniel Gafford. Davis initially returned after stitches, but lingering issues led to a July surgery to repair the retina. Doctors cleared him fully but mandated protective eyewear for the rest of his career.

“It’s for the rest of my career, which I’m not too excited about,” Davis said. “I’ve been wearing them all summer, working out and trying to get used to them. You’ll see me in protective eyewear this year.”

Despite the adjustment, Davis reports his vision is clear and he has been fully active in training camp.

Leading the Dallas Mavericks

Davis has also been asked to take on more responsibility in the locker room, especially with Kyrie Irving sidelined until at least January following ACL surgery.

“I’ve got to be vocal,” Davis said. “Alongside Klay, we’re the oldest guys here, and we’ve got a young group. It’s about sharing my knowledge and leading them to success.”

Head coach Jason Kidd said Davis’ resilience and experience make him a natural mentor for No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

“From what I gathered it was when Gaff hit him — that’s the incident that caused the injury and led to surgery. He’s been through a lot, and he can help Cooper by sharing that wisdom,” Kidd said.

Teammates have echoed that respect. Daniel Gafford called him “an elite player,” while Dereck Lively II pointed to Davis’ defensive impact.

“AD is unbelievable. Watching how he moves defensively — he can guard anybody, protect the rim, switch, everything.” Lively said. “Being around him taught me how much communication matters and how every possession counts.”

Davis enters the season with a résumé that already includes an NBA championship, an Olympic gold medal, five All-NBA selections, and three block titles. But his focus is on finishing what he started in Dallas.

And, as he made clear, the standard hasn’t shifted: he wants to deliver Dallas its first championship since 2011.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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