Is Anthony Davis playing tonight against the Denver Nuggets? Latest update on the Dallas Mavericks star's injury report (January 14, 2026)

Anthony Davis will not play for the Dallas Mavericks against the Denver Nuggets on January 14, 2026. He has been ruled out with a left finger sprain, leaving Dallas without its most important frontcourt player for a key Western Conference game at American Airlines Center.The timing adds to an already difficult stretch for the Dallas Mavericks. Injuries have taken away much of their regular rotation, forcing the team to lean on depth players while trying to stay in the playoff race. Against a Denver team near the top of the conference, the margin for error is thin.

Anthony Davis injury status for the Denver matchup (January 14, 2026)

Anthony Davis is dealing with a left finger sprain and will be re-evaluated in about six weeks. His absence keeps him sidelined alongside several teammates.

Kyrie Irving remains out following left knee surgery. Dante Exum is also unavailable after right knee surgery, and Dereck Lively II continues to recover from right foot surgery.

P.J. Washington is questionable with a right ankle issue, which could further thin Dallas’ frontcourt. With so many regulars unavailable, the Mavericks are expected to rely more on Jaden Hardy and Dwight Powell to fill minutes and provide stability.

How Dallas Mavericks are affected without Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis had been a major reason Dallas Mavericks succeeded against Denver earlier this season. He scored more than 30 points in both previous wins, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor. Without him, Dallas loses interior defense, rebounding, and a steady scoring option when possessions slow down.The Mavericks enter the night sitting around 12th in the Western Conference standings. Even at home, their position is fragile, and playing without Davis makes climbing the standings more difficult.

Denver’s position heading into the game

The Denver Nuggets come in third in the West with a 27–13 record. They have won four of their last five games and have stayed competitive even during stretches without Nikola Jokic. That consistency gives Denver an advantage against a short-handed opponent.

Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks Game outlook

The game tips off at 6:30 PM ET. The total is set at 225.5, pointing to a balanced scoring expectation rather than a track meet. For Dallas, staying close will depend on guard play and effort in the paint. For Denver, patience and depth could be enough to take control.Also read: Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight vs the Dallas Mavericks? Latest update on the Denver Nuggets star's injury report (January 14, 2026)With Anthony Davis out, this game becomes a test of how much Dallas can manage with what it has available.