WASHINGTON – The Washington Wizards will have to wait at least another month for the anticipated debut of forward Anthony Davis. Acquired in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks in February, the five-time All-Star continues to rehabilitate a left-hand injury, and the team announced Friday that he won’t be re-evaluated until the end of March.
Which means Davis will miss upcoming contests against the Oklahoma City Thunder (March 21), New York Knicks (March 22), Utah Jazz (March 25), Golden State Warriors (March 27), Portland Trail Blazers (March 29), and Los Angeles Lakers (March 30). The Wizards provided the update following a re-evaluation conducted Thursday by Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles.
According to the team, Davis’ recovery is “progressing positively,” but the volar plate ligament in his left hand hasn’t fully healed. He will continue conservative treatment and gradually increase basketball activity “as tolerated.” The Wizards are hopeful another evaluation at the end of the month will provide a clearer picture of his potential return timeline. For context, Davis hasn’t played since January 8, when he recorded a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas against the Utah Jazz.
Will Davis Play This Season?
The timing of Davis’ injury and the Wizards’ current standing in the Eastern Conference – 16 wins and 53 losses, second-to-last in the conference as of Friday – raises questions about whether the team will rush his return. Given the long-term outlook, it’s plausible Washington could prioritize caution and allow Davis to fully recover during the offseason. He has a player option for $62.7 million for the 2027-28 season after the upcoming campaign.
A healthy Anthony Davis would undoubtedly be a significant boost to the Wizards. This season, before the injury, the 33-year-old averaged 20.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20 games. His versatility as a scorer and defender would address clear needs on the Washington roster. However, the team must balance the desire to see their new acquisition on the court with the risk of re-injury.
The Wizards acquired Davis alongside guard Trae Young in separate trades intended to jumpstart a rebuild. Young has appeared in five games for Washington, but Davis’ absence has left a noticeable void. The team sent a substantial package to Dallas, including Oklahoma City’s 2026 first-round pick, Golden State’s top-20 protected 2030 first-rounder, and three second-round picks, along with forwards Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III. The Mavericks also traded guards Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum in the deal.
The Wizards’ medical staff will closely monitor Davis’ progress over the next few weeks. The re-evaluation at the end of March will be crucial in determining whether he can return before the end of the regular season, which concludes on April 12. Even if he does return, it’s likely he’ll be on a minutes restriction as he regains game shape and confidence in his injured hand.
For now, the Wizards will continue to rely on Young and their existing core as they navigate the remainder of a challenging season. The focus remains on player development and building a foundation for future success. The team will provide another update on Davis’ condition following the end-of-month evaluation.
The situation with Davis highlights the inherent risks of acquiring injured players via trade. While the Wizards clearly believe in Davis’ long-term potential, his current injury underscores the importance of patience and a cautious approach to his rehabilitation. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the results of the next evaluation, hoping for positive news that could signal a potential return to the court before the season ends.
Next up for the Wizards is a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 21. The Thunder, the defending NBA champions, will present a tough test for Washington, even without Davis in the lineup.
