AD has ‘reminder’ debut, is ‘fine’ after early exit

DALLAS — Anthony Davis’ debut for the Dallas Mavericks began in dominant fashion but ended early due to an injury.

The headliner of Dallas’ return in the Luka Doncic trade that prompted a large pregame protest outside American Airlines Center on Saturday, Davis had 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in 31 minutes before exiting late in the third quarter.

Davis, who had missed his past three games with the Los Angeles Lakers and first two with the Mavs due to an abdominal strain, did not return after suffering what the team referred to as a “lower-body injury.” The Mavs held on for a 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets.

Davis, 31, a 10-time All-Star selection who played a career-high 76 games last season, described the ailment as tightness in the area between his groin and quadriceps and did not anticipate an extended absence.

“Just the leg got tight, like a little spasm,” Davis said from his locker, which is the stall previously occupied by Doncic. “Just came back and tried to get it loose and everything. Obviously, dealing with the ab strain still, so just tried to get it loose. It wouldn’t really loosen up and let go, but it’s nothing serious. I’m fine.”

Mavs general manager Nico Harrison’s decision to trade 25-year-old face of the franchise Doncic, a five-time first-team All-NBA selection who led the league in scoring last season before leading Dallas to the NBA Finals, resulted in outrage among the fan base.

The pregame protest was attended by approximately 1,000 people, many of whom held signs and participated in chants that were critical of Harrison or called for his firing.

“We’re not outside, so the only way we know about the protests is from you guys,” said Mavs coach Jason Kidd, whose team set a franchise record with 18 blocks. “We play the game inside. We’re not playing the protests, we’re not outside playing. The protest has nothing to do with the game. The protestors have a right to do that and we understand where that’s coming from. But the game is about basketball, and we played at a high level against a very talented team in Houston.”

Harrison, who sources said has received multiple death threats since the trade, did not sit in his normal seat in the arena’s lower bowl.

“When you trade a guy like Luka, who meant so much to the city and to the organization, you’re going to get some of that,” said Davis, whose relationship with Harrison dates back to the star’s teenage years when the Mavs GM was a Nike executive. “He’s in good spirits, man, but I think he understands that, and it’s our job as players to continue to just play basketball, win basketball games and the rest will take care of itself.

“I think once we do what we think we can do and accomplish what we think we can accomplish, I’m pretty sure things will go back to normal.”

According to ESPN Research, Davis was the first player with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a team debut since Hall of Famer Charles Barkley with the Phoenix Suns in 1992.

Wing Max Christie, the other player the Mavs acquired from the Lakers in the Doncic deal, also made a major impact in his Dallas home debut. Christie, 21, scored 23 points off the bench, shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point range, including a dagger off a feed from Kyrie Irving with 1:38 remaining.

Davis had the arena rocking from the opening possession — when he threw a lob to center Daniel Gafford — until his early exit.

After a putback dunk with 7:34 remaining in the first quarter — Davis’ fourth bucket in the first four-plus minutes — he prompted roars from the crowd by waving his arms at the stands when the Rockets called timeout.

“I’m here!” Davis shouted as he pointed at American Airlines Center court.

“That just shows the support that he has and the welcome that he has [coming] to Dallas,” Kidd said. “As he said, he wants to help us win a championship and that’s what he’s here to do.”

Davis had 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks by halftime, when the Mavs had a 17-point lead.

“I know this city has a lot of emotions right now,” Davis said. “Just trying to do my job in changing that emotion for good. I was letting Dallas fans know what they got in a player like me. It’s a little friendly reminder of who Anthony Davis is.”