As the Dallas Mavericks gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season, the spotlight is firmly on their new star, Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, a dark cloud looms over the team’s preparations: the uncertain recovery of key contributor Anthony Davis. NBA insider Marc Stein, speaking on the DLLS Mavs podcast, revealed that Davis is “not fully back on the court yet” as he continues to recover from offseason eye surgery to repair a detached retina. This injury, more serious than initially anticipated, raises concerns about his availability for the start of the season and casts a shadow over the Mavericks’ championship aspirations.
Davis underwent surgery in July 2025 to address a detached retina, a condition where the retina—a thin layer at the back of the eye responsible for vision—pulls away from its normal position. This is no minor ailment. A detached retina can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly, and even with successful surgery, recovery can be unpredictable. The fact that Davis played through this injury during the 2024-25 season is both a testament to his toughness and a cause for concern. Playing basketball with a compromised retina, under the bright lights of NBA arenas and the physical demands of the game, could have exacerbated the issue, potentially threatening his long-term health.
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The bright lights of the court, both literal and figurative, pose a unique risk for Davis during his recovery. Post-surgery, patients are often advised to avoid bright lights, sudden movements, and activities that could strain the eyes, such as reading or screen time. For an NBA player, the high-intensity environment of professional basketball—complete with flashing arena lights, rapid head movements, and physical contact—presents a challenging and potentially dangerous setting for someone recovering from such a delicate procedure.
The Mavericks had initially been optimistic about Davis’ recovery, expecting him to be ready for the start of training camp on September 29, 2025. However, Stein’s report suggests that Davis is still not cleared for full basketball activities, raising doubts about his availability for the team’s preseason opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 6 or even the regular-season tipoff against the San Antonio Spurs on October 22.
Davis’ limited participation last season—playing just nine of a possible 33 games after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade—already highlighted his injury concerns. In those nine games, he showcased his All-Star caliber, averaging 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per contest. His ability to dominate on both ends of the floor makes him a cornerstone of the Mavericks’ plans, especially alongside the young and dynamic Flagg. However, his absence or limited capacity could severely hamper the team’s early-season performance.
The Mavericks are no strangers to injury woes. Kyrie Irving, another key piece of the roster, is sidelined until at least January 2026 after suffering a torn ACL on March 3, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings. Meanwhile, center Dereck Lively II, who underwent surgery for bone spurs in his right foot in July, is expected to be ready for training camp but is coming off a season where he played only 36 games due to persistent foot issues. With these injury concerns piling up, the Mavericks’ depth and resilience will be tested early in the season.
The acquisition of Cooper Flagg via the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft was a silver lining for Dallas after a tumultuous 2024-25 season. Flagg, a generational talent, is expected to be the centerpiece of the Mavericks’ rebuild, but his success will depend heavily on the health and performance of veterans like Davis and Irving. Davis, in particular, brings a unique combination of size, skill, and defensive prowess that complements Flagg’s versatile game. Without Davis at full strength, the Mavericks risk overburdening their rookie star and could struggle to compete in the loaded Western Conference.
For Davis himself, the stakes are even higher. At 32 years old, he is in the prime of his career but has a history of injuries that have limited his availability. A detached retina is not just a short-term setback; it’s a condition that could have long-term implications for his vision and, by extension, his ability to perform at an elite level. The bright lights of the court, the physicality of the game, and the pressure to return quickly could all jeopardize his recovery if not managed carefully.
As training camp approaches, the Mavericks and their fans are left in a state of uneasy anticipation. Will Anthony Davis be able to return to his dominant form, or will the lingering effects of his eye surgery keep him sidelined? The team’s medical staff will need to take a cautious approach, balancing Davis’ desire to compete with the need to protect his long-term health. For now, the bright lights of the NBA court remain a distant goal for Davis, and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery is a terrifying prospect for a Mavericks team banking on his contributions.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg as he begins his rookie campaign, but the Mavericks’ ceiling for the 2025-26 season hinges on the health of their star-studded roster. If Davis can overcome this latest challenge, he could help lead Dallas to new heights. But if his recovery falters, the Mavericks may find themselves in the dark, grappling with the terrifying reality of a season without one of their most vital players.