Anthony Davis Calls Mavericks Injury Reports Lies

Merlin sees Dallas center Anthony Davis publicly push back after Shams Charania reported he would need surgery for ligament damage in his left hand and miss "several months." AD replied simply "Lies!" while reports say the Mavericks view his season in Dallas as over and have renewed trade talks with teams like Toronto, Atlanta and some interest from Milwaukee. Davis is a 10-time All-Star averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds but has played just 20 games amid a 15-25 skid for Dallas. Merlin senses the fog. Dallas sits out of the play-in, Kyrie remains sidelined and Davis is on a short contract, so a trade feels likely if he is healthy. Injury uncertainty muddies the market, so the next two weeks will reveal whether Dallas clarifies his status or shops him.