Newly acquired star Anthony Davis made an immediate impact for the Dallas Mavericks in his debut, delivering a dominant performance with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks. However, his night was cut short due to a minor injury in the Mavericks’ 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

Davis, who joined the Mavericks last week in a blockbuster trade from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Luka Dončić, faced a mixed reception from the fanbase. The trade, one of the most shocking in NBA history, has left many Mavericks supporters outraged, with a sizable group protesting outside American Airlines Center before tipoff.

Despite the controversy, Davis received a warm welcome once he stepped onto the court. Fans erupted in applause as his name was announced in the starting lineup, setting the stage for an emotionally charged debut.

The nine-time All-Star wasted no time making his presence felt. Within the first two minutes, he tallied an assist and a block before scoring his first points as a Maverick. Midway through the first quarter, Davis threw down a putback dunk and emphatically shouted, “I’m here!” as the crowd responded with a standing ovation.

“Just playing with a lot of emotion,” Davis said after the game. “I know this city has a lot of emotion right now, and I’m just trying to do my job and turn that emotion into something positive. That moment was just a little reminder of who Anthony Davis is.”

However, Davis’ impressive night was cut short late in the third quarter when he left the game due to tightness in his groin and quadriceps. While the injury appeared to be minor, the Mavericks opted to sideline him as a precaution.

“It was like a little spasm … It wouldn’t loosen up and let go,” Davis explained. “But it’s nothing serious, I’m fine. All day I was wondering what kind of reaction I would get, but the fans were great. Their energy definitely helped me out there.”

In addition to Davis’ strong performance, Max Christie, who was also part of the trade with the Lakers, contributed 23 points for Dallas, helping secure the team’s victory over Houston.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the league, Jimmy Butler made a statement in his debut for the Golden State Warriors. The veteran forward scored 25 points, leading his new team to a 132-111 comeback win over the Chicago Bulls after overcoming a 24-point third-quarter deficit.

While Mavericks fans are still processing the loss of Dončić, Davis’ electrifying performance and immediate impact on both ends of the floor provide hope that the franchise can build a new era of success with their latest superstar acquisition.

The Baltimore Ravens made a statement on Saturday night with a dominating 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, setting a postseason record with 299 rushing yards. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson were the catalysts, proving their lethal partnership could carry the team deep into the playoffs.

Henry, the bruising running back, was unstoppable as he ran for 186 yards on 26 carries, including two touchdowns. His power and toughness repeatedly punished the Steelers’ defense, highlighted by a 34-yard run punctuated by a stiff arm that sent Steelers star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick reeling. Jackson, meanwhile, added 81 yards on the ground and threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, reminding fans why he’s a dual-threat MVP candidate.

Jackson, reflecting on Henry’s performance, compared him to Lightning McQueen from Cars, saying, “That’s how Derrick looks when he’s passing all those guys… it looks like a movie.” His dynamic running and playmaking ability made life easier for Henry and kept the Steelers’ defense guessing all night.

The Ravens’ opening drive set the tone for the game as they marched 95 yards, culminating in a touchdown pass from Jackson to Rashod Bateman. Henry’s direct snap for 34 yards was a key play in the series, and Head Coach John Harbaugh said it was specifically designed for the Steelers matchup. The drive’s success propelled the Ravens to a 7-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Baltimore executed a dominant 85-yard, 13-play drive that featured no passes at all, with Jackson and Henry taking turns chewing up yards. Jackson scrambled for gains, while Henry’s powerful runs brought the Ravens to the Steelers’ 10-yard line. Henry capped the drive with a bruising run into the end zone, giving Baltimore a commanding 14-0 lead.

Before halftime, Jackson orchestrated a 1:51 drive, culminating in a third touchdown, sending the Ravens to the break with a 21-0 lead. The Ravens appeared to be in complete control as the Steelers struggled to contain the ground game.

Pittsburgh showed signs of life in the second half. After a 30-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Van Jefferson, the Steelers narrowed the lead to 21-7. However, Henry quickly answered with a 44-yard touchdown run, reestablishing Baltimore’s dominance. Pittsburgh responded again with a long touchdown pass to George Pickens, but the Ravens’ defense tightened, and a key sack by Nnamdi Madubuike halted the Steelers’ momentum.

Despite the Steelers’ late efforts, including a potential game-winning drive, the Ravens’ defense held firm. After a crucial fourth-down stop, Baltimore took control with strong runs from Jackson and Henry, running down the clock and ultimately sealing the win with a final kneel down.

With their ground game firing on all cylinders, the Ravens are a team no defense will want to face. As they prepare for their next playoff challenge, the duo of Jackson and Henry could prove unstoppable as they march toward a potential Super Bowl berth.