The basketball gods are not on the side of the Dallas Mavericks this year.
Ever since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last month, the Mavericks have been on a downward spiral, hanging by a thread into their play-in hopes just nine months after making their first NBA Finals in 13 years.
At one point, they were down to just seven healthy players.
Let’s take you back how it went down for the reigning Western Conference champions starting that one fateful decision early February.
February 2, 2025 - Dallas trades Luka Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis
In one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison sent their their supposed franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to Hollywood in exchange for Anthony Davis.
[ALSO READ: Lakers Land Luka: The latest blockbuster in #LakeShow franchise history]
It was a move nobody saw coming – even the two stars insisted they had no idea that a trade was in works — as Harrison struck a deal with counterpart Rob Pelinka in an absolute game-changing move.
The deal also included Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris going to Los Angeles, along with Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick going to Dallas.
[ALSO READ: Outtanowhere: The Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis mega trade in Philippine terms]
In a press conference a day later, Harrison explained the major decision is a “win-now’ move while getting back a caliber like Davis, a former NBA champion, to pair up with Kyrie Irving.
“Well, I think the long-term is the time frame. If you pair him with Kyrie [Irving] and the rest of the guys, he fits right along with our timeframe to win now — and to win in the future,” he said.
Hold that thought.
February 9, 2025 - Anthony Davis’ Mavericks debut cut short due to groin injury
In front of a loud American Airlines Center crowd, Davis gave a glimpse of what he can contribute to his new squad.
The 32-year-old erupted with monster numbers of 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 31 minutes of a 116-105 Mavericks win.
However, it was a bittersweet Dallas victory as AD went down with a lower body injury in the third frame that ended his night prematurely.
As it turned out, it was a groin injury that would sidelined him for multiple weeks with no timetable of his return. Davis also missed the 2025 All-Star weekend, and was replaced by his teammate Kyrie Irving for the All-Star Game.
This moment proved to be a foreshadowing of what would happen next for the reigning Western Conference champions.
February 12, 2025 - Daniel Gafford injures knee vs Sacramento Kings
Gafford, one of the Mavericks key trade deadline acquisitions last season, got hurt three days later after spraining his right knee in the Mavs’ home defeat to the Kings.
Before going down, the defensive dynamo averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 51 games for Dallas this season.
He joined Davis (abductor strain) and Derek Lively (stress fracture in his right ankle) in the sidelines as the Mavericks’ frontline rotation got thinner.
February 26, 2025 - Dallas lost to Luka, Lakers in first match-up since major trade
In one of the most anticipated regular season games to date, Luka Doncic got his revenge over the team that traded him away via a 19-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double.
LA went on to 107-99 win, while former Laker Anthony Davis received a tribute video from the team he helped win the championship in 2020.
"I can't even explain [it]. It was a different game. Sometimes I don't know what I was doing and I'm just glad it's over, honestly," the Slovenian superstar said of his thoughts facing the Mavericks for the first time as an opponent.
Doncic’s former teammate in Kyrie Irving finished with 35 points as the two exchanged pleasantries before and after the game.
He also greeted and hugged every Mavericks player on the court.
March 2, 2025 - PJ Washington exits game against Bucks due to lingering ankle issues
Five days after the Gafford injury, another key role player in P.J. Washington got hurt.
Washington exited in the second half of Dallas' 132-117 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks after sustaining a right ankle injury.
The 26 year-old was having arguably the most impressive individual season of his six-year career, norming 14.0 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 37.4% from deep in 47 games.
March 3, 2025- Kyrie Irving suffers season-ending ACL injury vs. Kings
To make matters even worse, Irving went down with a gruesome ACL injury in another loss to Sacramento Kings--perhaps the biggest blow to the already tumultuous Dallas season.
[ALSO READ: Mavericks star Kyrie Irving vows to be 'back and better' after season-ending ACL injury]
He was fouled by DeMar DeRozan on a drive to the basket and his right foot landed on the foot of the Kings' Jonas Valanciunas, the nine-time All-Star lost his balance and then landed awkwardly on his left leg.
However, the 2016 champion was still able to knock won both his free throws. He then left the game before Dallas suffered a 122-98 beatdown.
Before going down, Irving is averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season and played 50 of the team's 62 games.
March 10, 2025 - Brandon Williams suffers hamstring injury; Dwight Powell did not return against Suns
A hamstring injury forced Brandon Williams to leave the game early in the fourth frame of the Mavericks’ home loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Furthermore, Dwight Powell did not return following a collision with teammate Kessler Edwards while going for a loose ball.
The good news is Edwards returned late in the game.
As of Wednesday, March 12, the Mavericks are tenth in the West at exactly .500 or 33-33. They are three wins ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who are at 30-35. The Sacramento Kings are sitting at ninth with a 33-31 record.
With this situation and only Klay Thompson left as the main superstar in Dallas, can the Mavericks still achieve the "win-now" situation and return to the Finals?
