Any club hoping to make an impact in the NBA must consider health. For the Dallas Mavericks, they want to make sure Anthony Davis is available for most of the 2025-26 season. For most of his career, Davis’ effect on his teams has been greatly influenced by his availability and health. Last season, he appeared in 42 games for the Los Angeles Lakers and nine games for the Mavericks.
This season, the Mavericks have shown promise in potentially making noise in the Western Conference. They have a great group with Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, Dereck Lively II, and this year’s top pick, Cooper Flagg. Also, they have Kyrie Irving, who’s on the sidelines due to a torn ACL and could return late in the season.
Ahead of Davis’ first full season with the Mavericks, former NBA star Charles Barkley believes the team could make a significant impact if the former Kentucky star is healthy. Barkley said that Dallas could reach the Western Conference finals if AD plays at least 65 to 70 games.
“If Anthony Davis plays 65 to 70 games, and Kyrie [Irving] comes back at the beginning of the year, the Dallas Mavericks, they’re the second-best, in my opinion, they’re the second-best team in the Western Conference,” Charles Barkley said.
If Anthony Davis plays 65 games, Charles Barkley has the Mavs going to the Western Conference Finals 👀 pic.twitter.com/4FFLgxUVt6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 22, 2025
“There’s a lot of ifs, but if Anthony plays 65 to 70 games… the Mavs would be in the Western Conference finals.”
Although Dallas has a strong group, it all boils down to how many games Anthony Davis will play this year. The last time AD played at least 65 to 70 games was during the 2023-24 season. The big man appeared in 75 games that year with the Lakers, averaging 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Stephen A. Smith shares the same prediction as Barkley with Anthony Davis’ health
Many believe that Anthony Davis can play an important role in any system, as long as he’s healthy. Barkley isn’t the only one who thinks that he could lead the Mavericks to significant success. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said in his recent appearance on “7PM in Brooklyn” that Dallas could win the championship. That is, if Davis remains healthy.
“If Kyrie Irving comes back healthy and Anthony Davis is healthy, I think Dallas should be the favorite to win it all,” the analyst said.
“Cooper Flagg can play. He’s just a rookie, but he can play. And then, you’ve got Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis, who doesn’t have to play the five. I’ve got news for you. Lively, Gafford, and these brothers can play. And then you’ve got PJ Washington, who can play. Jason Kidd can coach. I believe the Dallas Mavericks, if healthy, will win the chip.”
This season is set to be an exciting year for the Mavericks, as they try to contend for the championship.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
