Anthony Davis leaves his Dallas debut with an injury after seismic Luka Doncic trade

DALLAS (AP) — Anthony Davis left in the third quarter with a lower-body injury and didn't return in his debut with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday after the seismic trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis went down without contact and was grabbing his groin area in Dallas' 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets. He was listed as doubtful to return and didn't play again in the first home game for the Mavs since the trade.

The 31-year-old said he felt tightness in his groin and quadriceps area, and part of the reasoning for not returning was the abdominal strain that kept him out of his final two games with the Lakers before the trade and the first two he could have played with the Mavs.

“Leg got tight, like a little spasm,” Davis said. “Came back and tried to get it loose and everything, obviously dealing with the ab, strained still. It wouldn’t loosen up and let go. But it’s nothing serious.”

Davis had 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and all three of his blocks in the first half. He finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.

“We'll see how he feels tomorrow,” coach Jason Kidd said.

One of the many criticisms of the trade was Dallas giving up a 25-year-old superstar in his prime for Davis, who has an extensive injury history.

The 10-time All-Star went down without contact as Alperen Sengun drove past him for a layup. Davis walked slowly toward the offensive end and stayed in the corner near the Dallas bench while his team ran the offense.

Davis didn't try to go back the other way after the Rockets regained possession. The Mavericks committed a foul to stop the clock and get Davis out of the game. He stayed in the bench area briefly before leaving the court.

The Mavs play Stephen Curry and Golden State on Monday night in the second game of a four-game homestand.

“I’m very confident,” Davis said. “I feel great. Do some more stuff tomorrow, but just take it a day at a time.”

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Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) leaves the game during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) waits for a time out in front of the bench during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) gets a congratulations from forward P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) yells to teammate Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker made a mid-range jumper with 1.7 seconds remaining to lift the Phoenix Suns over the Milwaukee Bucks 108-106 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

It's a crucial victory for the Suns, who stayed in the final position for the Western Conference play-in tournament with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Kevin Durant scored 38 points, while Booker added 19, including the clutch 20-foot jumper after catching the in-bounds pass in the final moments.

Brook Lopez missed a turnaround jumper at the buzzer that could have tied it, ending a frantic final stretch. Milwaukee was led by Giannis Antetokoumpo, who scored 31 points. Lopez added 23.

Milwaukee's Kyle Kuzma hit a corner 3-pointer with 1:22 left while being fouled by Durant and completed the 4-point play for a 105-103 lead. Durant responded with a 3 with 26.2 seconds left to put the Suns up 106-105.

Lopez made 1 of 2 free throws with 10.7 seconds left to tie it at 106, setting up Booker's winner.

Durant scored 13 points in the third quarter to help the Suns take an 81-78 advantage into the fourth.

Bucks: It's a tough loss for the Bucks, who are fighting for the No. 3 through No. 6 playoff positions in the Eastern Conference with the Knicks, Pacers and Pistons.

Suns: Coach Mike Budenholzer has tinkered with the playing rotation all season in an effort to find a competitive group to put around Booker and Durant. The current mix of Nick Richards, rookie Ryan Dunn and Collin Gillespie isn't perfect, but its been better than most.

Dunn threw down a huge one-handed jam over Antetokounmpo in the third quarter for a 68-67 lead.

Phoenix had a 52-36 rebounding edge.

The Bucks are on the road against the Nuggets on Wednesday; The Suns host the Celtics on Wednesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts to a call against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) drives against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) drives against Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)