Fired-up Anthony Davis dazzles in first-half of Mavericks debut

Protesters be damned.

Anthony Davis was ready to go — and then some — during his Mavericks debut.

Just two quarters into his first game with Dallas after a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, Davis had 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three blocks against the in-state rival Rockets.

The highlight of the opening half came with a little over 7:35 left in the first quarter, when Davis drove toward the hoop and collected his own miss before stuffing down a put-back jam.

AD: “I’M HERE” pic.twitter.com/MstvFUr3JJ— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) February 8, 2025

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) yells to the fans with teammate P.J. Washington during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Dallas. AP

Davis was hyped up after the bucket and celebrated with his teammates.

Then he started to do some crowd work at American Airlines Center, yelling exultantly with what lip-reading internet sleuths determined to be “I’m here! I’m here!”

It’s been a whirlwind week for the Mavericks, their fans and Davis.

Before the game, the first one in Dallas since the Sunday morning trade that sent away the franchise’s cornerstone, fans protested, largely centering their anger toward general manager Nico Harrison.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) hangs on the rim after dunking on Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Dallas. AP

One truck carrying signage outside the arena even had a message that said “Fire Nico.”

Davis told reporters on Friday that he understood why fans were angry with the team’s transition.

“I get who Luka was to this franchise, to this city,” Davis said. “I’m never going to downplay that. Just how I know what I meant to the city of LA. So I’m not surprised by the fans’ reaction and the city’s reaction. It’s my job to come in and play basketball and do what I’m supposed to do and give the fans hope and reassurance on why Nico brought me here.

“I don’t know how [Saturday’s] going to be as far as the reaction,” Davis said. “I can’t control that. Obviously it was a tough transition. It was a shock to all. My job is to come in and win basketball games.”