Anthony Davis, the All-Star the Mavericks acquired last week in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade, went to the locker room with an injury after helping Dallas build a comfortable lead with a torrid first half. He had 24 points and 13 rebounds before the break, giving the Mavs a much-needed momentum boost after a tough week.

Anthony Davis exited his debut for the Dallas Mavericks early after suffering what the team called a "lower-body injury."

The division and in-state rival Houston Rockets would be the opponents for this matchup, entering the game on a five-game losing streak. Anthony Davis made his Mavericks debut in this game, so Dallas was only missing Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell, and Caleb Martin, while Houston was without starters Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet.