NBA: Anthony Davis powers Mavs past Rockets before exiting with injury

DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 08: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after an injury in the game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center on February 08, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Tim Heitman/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Tim Heitman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

In his Dallas Mavericks debut, Anthony Davis scored 26 points with 12 rebounds before leaving in the third quarter with an abdominal injury, to guide a 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

It was Davis’ first game with the Mavericks since he was acquired in a league-shaking trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1.

Davis, who added seven assists and three blocks, left the game near the end of the third quarter after clutching at his lower abdomen and did not return. He had been dealing with abdominal strain when he was acquired from the Lakers.

READ: NBA: Anthony Davis understands Mavs fans’ ire after losing Luka Doncic

Max Christie, who also was acquired from Los Angeles, scored 23 points, while Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving each had 13 points.

Alpren Sengun scored 20 points for the Rockets, who lost their sixth consecutive game. Jalen Green scored 24 points and Amen Thompson had 20 for Houston.

Behind Davis’ scorching start, Dallas took a 65-48 lead into halftime. Davis had 24 points on 9 of 13 shooting and 13 rebounds in the first half.

The Rockets mounted a comeback by going on an 11-2 run to pull within 71-69 with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter.

READ: NBA: Anthony Davis ‘shocked’ upon hearing of trade to Mavericks

Dallas responded by outscoring Houston 18-12 through the remainder of the third quarter for an 89-81 lead.

Houston again made a run late in the fourth, pulling to within 104-100 with 2:43 remaining on Green’s step-back jumper. Two free throws from Irving and a 3-pointer by Christie pushed the Mavs’ lead back to nine at 109-100 with 1:38 remaining.

Christie, playing in his third game for Dallas, was 4 of 5 from the 3-point arc and finished five points shy of his career high. He scored 15 points in each of his first two games in Dallas.

The Mavericks recorded a franchise record 18 blocks, including six from Daniel Gafford and three from P.J. Washington in addition to Davis’ three. It was the most blocks in an NBA game since November of 2022.

Mavs center P.J. Washington did not play in the second half after he sprained his ankle just before halftime. Washington missed the previous two games for personal reasons.