Is Anthony Davis playing tonight vs the Los Angeles Lakers? Latest update on the Los Angeles Lakers star's injury report (January 24, 2026)

Anthony Davis will not play tonight when the Los Angeles Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas ruled him out after the latest injury report confirmed a left finger sprain.This game was already heading toward an uneven setup, and Davis being sidelined makes it clearer.

Both teams are missing rotation players, and the result is a matchup that will likely be decided by who handles limited depth better rather than star power alone.

Why is Anthony Davis Ruled Out Against the Los Angeles Lakers (January 24, 2026)

Anthony Davis picked up the finger injury recently and has been listed as out in official reports on January 23 and January 24. Any chance of him playing tonight was closed off with the final update hours before tipoff.

There is also a bigger picture at play. Earlier evaluations tied to another issue suggested a recovery window of up to six weeks.

That timeline could push his return until after the All-Star break on February 20. Dallas has taken a cautious approach, especially given Davis’ recent run of injuries.

Game Context: Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks Short-Handed

Dallas Mavericks will once again lean heavily on Luka Dončić to run the offense and carry the scoring load. Without Davis, the Mavericks lose their best interior defender and a reliable scoring option near the rim.The Lakers are also dealing with roster issues. Austin Reaves is sidelined with a calf strain, cutting into Los Angeles’ backcourt depth.

With both teams missing key players, execution and rotations are likely to matter more than matchups on paper.

How Anthony's Absence Impacts on Dallas’ Frontcourt

Anthony Davis’ absence leaves Dallas thin in the frontcourt. Even in limited minutes after returning from a calf strain last season, he showed how much he changes games defensively and on the glass.The situation is made tougher by other injuries. Dante Exum remains out with a knee issue, and Moussa Cisse is questionable due to illness.

That combination puts added pressure on role players to fill minutes and hold up defensively.

What Comes Next for the Dallas Mavericks

Dallas is clearly thinking beyond one game. The focus is on getting Davis healthy rather than rushing him back. A return after the All-Star break remains the likely path, with upcoming games against teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves in mind.Also read: Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (January 24, 2026)For tonight, the plan is simple. The ball will be in Dončić’s hands, and the rest of the roster will need to do enough around him to stay competitive against a Lakers team facing its own limitations.