Anthony Davis is already injured, Dallas is relying on Dwight Powell

Dallas – Indiana, or the cripple ball. Wednesday game in between Mavericks and the Pacers came down to who could best handle the shock despite their absence. Under these circumstances, the Texans fled, very little (107-105). Already bereft of Derek Lively II and Daniel Gafford at the 5 position, Jason Kidd had to deal with Anthony Davisthe holder of this function which he does not like. And the Mavs coach had to rethink his plans after just a few minutes of play when “AD” grabbed his legs and was forced to leave his teammates.

Unsure for the match due to double tendinitis in his Achilles tendon, Anthony Dawes grimaced after taking a poor shot from just over seven minutes into the game. Without twisting or actually making contact with the sound against Tony Bradley, he held onto his shin, before limping to the bench.

Mavericks center Anthony Davis heads to the locker.

He entered the game with a bilateral Achilles tendinopathy injury.

Davis looked to land hard and immediately began limping to the bench. pic.twitter.com/lKoV4hgtcA

— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) October 30, 2025

“Pain in left leg”that’s it for the medical evaluation posted by jason kidd at the press conference. “He tried to get back into the game, but he didn’t want to take any chances. We’ll see how he feels over time.” If it seems that the worst is averted, we can only worry in Dallas, in the face of a series of injuries that have plagued Anthony Davis since the beginning of his career, and since his arrival in Texas.

Dwight Powell’s best game in two and a half years

Without the former Laker, the Mavericks quite logically dominated on the rebound. But they did not crack, especially thanks to their veteran Dwight Powell. Limited to the end of the bench and the internal rotation (10 minutes in three matches played), the Canadian answered the call, and in what way.

Aggressive and even decisive with 18 points, including eight in the fourth quarter – a Dallas high – he had his best game in two and a half years and 22 games against the Spurs on March 15, 2023.

Accepted by the American Airlines Center, the pivot was even entitled to his own “MVP!” MVP! » from the public. “This has to be the first” he smiled at the media. “I was just trying to stay focused on making my free throws at the end of the game (10/12 in the game, editor’s note). It was a little confusing at first, but I just tried to stay in my bubble and make those shots.” More than his 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks in just over 29 minutes of play, Dwight Powell finished with Dallas’ best +/- ratio (+12) in a very close game.

“We all have to answer the call to our number, find a way to be competitive and stay on our game plan” articulate Dwight Powell. “Luckily, a few guys stepped up tonight. What’s most important to me is winning and finding ways to contribute, whether it’s on or off the field, on game days or in training. My routine is to stay fit and help as much as I can.”

Model for Cooper Flagg

A lauded model of professionalism since his debut in Dallas in 2014-2015, Dwight Powell serves as a role model for all Mavericks, especially their young players like Cooper Flagg.

“The most important thing about Dwight is not what he says, it’s more his actions” insisted number one of the last Draft. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who lifts more iron than him, who shows how hard he works. He’s in the gym every day. He’s always in front in training, shooting… That’s why he’s been here for so long, he behaves the right way, he does the right things and he’s a great teammate, whether he’s on the court, whether he’s a professional or not.

The 34-year-old could have other opportunities to demonstrate that if Anthony Davis, Derek Lively II or Daniel Gafford extend their absences, with only PJ Washington and Moussa Cisse signed to a “two-way deal” as the rest of the interior available for Saturday’s game in Detroit.