The procedure, reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, comes after Anthony Davis sustained multiple hits to the face during the 2024-25 NBA season, including a notable incident on April 2 against the Atlanta Hawks when teammate Daniel Gafford inadvertently struck Davis in the right eye with an elbow.

Despite bleeding and requiring four stitches for a laceration above his eye, Davis returned to the court that night and delivered a 34-point performance, including the game-winning shot.

Davis’s latest injury follows a season marked by physical setbacks and significant change. After being traded midseason from the Los Angeles Lakers to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic, Davis battled through an abdominal strain and a left adductor injury, missing 31 games in total.

Nevertheless, he averaged 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds across 51 games split between the Lakers and Mavericks, maintaining his status as one of the league’s premier big men.

Medical Outlook and Impact on Mavericks

A detached retina is a serious eye injury, but NBA history shows that with timely surgical intervention, athletes can make full recoveries. Notable players such as Amar’e Stoudemire and Dirk Nowitzki have returned to high-level play following similar procedures.

Davis’s surgery is expected to allow him to be fully healthy for the start of training camp, and there is optimism within the Mavericks organization that he will be ready for the 2025-26 season.

Davis’s health is critical for a Mavericks team in transition. The blockbuster trade that brought him to Dallas also netted the franchise the No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, and placed Davis in a leadership role alongside young talents like Derrick Lively II. The frontcourt trio is anticipated to be among the NBA’s most formidable if Davis can avoid further setbacks.

Navigating Adversity and Looking Ahead

Durability has long been a concern for Davis, whose career has been punctuated by both brilliance and frequent injuries. His resistance to wearing protective goggles, despite recurring eye issues dating back to high school, has drawn attention, though the Mavericks medical staff may encourage additional precautions moving forward.

For Davis, the hope is that this offseason procedure marks the end of a turbulent period and the beginning of a more stable chapter in Dallas. If healthy, he remains a transformative presence on both ends of the floor, and his partnership with Flagg could define the Mavericks’ future.

As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on Davis’s recovery and his quest to anchor a new era in Dallas basketball.