The Washington Wizards will officially be without its new trade acquisition with veteran Anthony Davis expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
After the Washington Wizards made the trade deadline deal to acquire Anthony Davis, one of the more immediate questions was whether fans would get to see the former ten-time All-Star. That may have to wait, though.
Chris Haynes of NBA.TV reported late on Friday night that Davis is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season in order to return to full health. The former Mavericks big man arrived in Washington suffered ligament damage in his left hand late in the Jan. 8 loss against the Utah Jazz, though Davis was able to skip surgery follow a medical evaluation with a timeline to return of six to eight weeks.
Davis was promoted on the team's social media during his first team visit on Friday where he was seen sporting a soft splint on his left hand.
It marks somewhat of a disappointment for fans, though not a surprise given the consistent focus since the Trae Young trade has been focused on the Wizards' draft capital and retaining the protected first round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Davis ends his season averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in per game in over 31 minutes. He also ends his tenure after playing just 29 games with the Mavericks since arriving last season following the Luka Doncic trade, but with a chance to get healthy again, Davis will look to play at least 50 games in 2026-27 for the fourth time in his last six seasons.
The news comes fresh after talk of Davis being "unhappy" with a trade to Washington was debunked after Ben Standig of "Last Man Standig" pushed back on an internet rumor that went viral on Friday, while Anthony Davis himself disputed talk of him being disgruntled post-trade.
Davis arrived in DC on Friday for a team visit alongside Wizards leadership including both Ted and Zach Leonsis.
“The visit’s been great,” Davis told David Aldridge of The Athletic. “They definitely welcomed me with open arms, spent some time with Ted and Zach. It’s totally different from what they make it seem. I know it’s like, oh, they have the stigma of they’re not a good team. I haven’t seen the practice facility yet, but the arena is top-notch, world-class for sure. Seen the chefs and how they take care of the families. It’s been great.”
The long-term question is whether a contract extension materializes for Davis, preparing for year two of a four year, $175 million contract, with the former NBA champion noting he's intent on hearing the vision set forth by Wizards' leadership prior to making a decision.
While the Wizards debut for Davis will have to wait, the return for Trae Young remains a possibility following next week's All-Star break with the team consistent that they are taking a patient approach with his recover process. Young remains one of several players inactive for Saturday's contest against Brooklyn due to a right knee, MCL sprain and quad contusion.
"He's doing some work in the gym, more uncontested work. We're doing some shooting," head coach Brian Keefe said of Trae Young. "But we said this before, prior to prioritizing his health, that's the number one thing. But he is able to do a little bit on the court, which is nice to see.”
Washington, now 14-36, returns to action to take on the Brooklyn Nets for a 3 PM tipoff on Saturday.