Image credit: ClutchPoints

Skip Bayless calls Mavericks’ Anthony Davis ‘egg-shell fragile’

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Benjamin Adducchio | Last updated Apr 19, 2025 12:44 PM ET

Sports commentator Skip Bayless is known not to mince words when discussing his opinions. Bayless is doing just that as he used his social media account to criticize Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis on Friday.

“AD injured … AGAIN. Such monster talent on both ends. So egg-shell fragile,” Bayless said on X, formerly Twitter. “Last couple of seasons stayed pretty healthy – by his standards. But he got traded for Luka and just fell apart – maybe even pulled his psyche. At least he’s gutting it out now.”

Bayless made the comments following an injury Davis sustained in the NBA’s Play-in Tournament game Friday. The Mavericks fell to the Memphis Grizzlies, 120-106.

In the fourth quarter of the contest, the Mavericks big man limped off the floor. It appeared he had suffered a leg injury. Davis was able to return.

Davis finished the contest with 40 points in 37 minutes, so he certainly didn’t appear too fragile.

Anthony Davis has struggled with injuries since joining the Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts during a time out in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Davis joined the Mavericks in the middle of the season, in an NBA trade heard around the world. The Los Angeles Lakers dealt him to Dallas for Luka Doncic. There were other players involved too, but those two guys were the centerpieces.

Mavericks fans were very unhappy with the trade. Things got worse when Davis got hurt basically as soon as he got to Dallas. That’s clearly a reason why Bayless is voicing this opinion.

“Obviously, it’s a lot of emotions that I know is not directed toward me,” Davis said, per ESPN, about the fans being upset. “The city loved [Doncic]. You get rid of the guy, new guy comes in. While they want to embrace you and are thankful for you, it still stings. So I’m just thankful and appreciative of the city of Dallas and their fans to welcome me and my teammates coming into a situation.”

Davis played quite well, though, despite his leg issues. He paced Dallas on Friday against Memphis, doing everything he could to get a win. It just wasn’t enough though for the Mavericks.

“I just wanted to, if I was able to play, come back and play,” Davis added. “I think the fans deserved it, my teammates deserved it, organization deserved it for myself to come out and just do whatever I can to get back on the floor to try to compete at the highest level and try to obviously get further than what we did this season.”

Dallas is now done for the season. Mavericks fans will continue the debate over whether the trade was worth it. It seems Skip Bayless will too.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: