Wizards' Anthony Davis Faces Uncertain NBA Future After Alarming Injury Update

The star center has not played since January due to a complicated left-hand injury that has raised doubts about his long-term durability.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:35pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in muted tones, conceptually representing the fragmented and unpredictable nature of Anthony Davis' injury history in the NBA.A cubist illustration captures the fragmented nature of Anthony Davis' injury-plagued NBA career.New Orleans Today

Washington Wizards center Anthony Davis has completed yet another injury-plagued season, appearing in just 20 games and none of them were for the Wizards. After making the deadline move from the Dallas Mavericks, the 33-year-old has been unable to play as he recovers from a left-hand injury. Davis revealed that doctors described the damage in unusually stark terms, signaling potential risks as he eyes a return for the 2026-27 campaign.

Why it matters

Anthony Davis' injury history has hampered what should have been regular All-NBA and MVP-worthy seasons. Time and again, he has shown flashes and averages elite production in points, rebounds, and blocks when healthy — only to be sidelined by issues ranging from foot problems and knee strains to shoulder and now this hand complication. This latest setback raises serious questions about his long-term durability and value as one of the NBA's premier big men.

The details

Davis injured his hand in early January as he suffered ligament damage, including to the volar plate tissue in his left hand. Surgery was suggested to him by medical experts but he opted for conservative treatment in hopes of moving up his return timeline. Despite progress that included clearance for light contact by early April, the Wizards ultimately shut him down for the remainder of the 2025-26 season to ensure full recovery ahead of next year.

  • In early January, Davis suffered a left-hand injury that included ligament damage and volar plate tissue damage.
  • By early April, Davis had progressed to being cleared for light contact, but the Wizards ultimately shut him down for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
  • Davis is aiming to return for the 2026-27 NBA season.

The players

Anthony Davis

A 33-year-old center for the Washington Wizards who has struggled with injuries throughout his NBA career, including this latest left-hand issue that has sidelined him since January.

Washington Wizards

The NBA team that acquired Davis in a midseason trade from the Dallas Mavericks, but have had to shut him down for the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to his ongoing recovery from a left-hand injury.

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What they’re saying

“It was a tough injury. I've talked to the doctors and it's a patience thing because we use our hands for basketball, obviously, and I don't want to re-injure this hand. It was a complicated injury. The doctor actually told me that now that I am healing and getting to a place where he's comfortable for me to get back to the floor ... he was nervous because he's never seen anything like that.”

— Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards Center

What’s next

The Wizards are hoping that with Davis and newly-acquired Trae Young both healthy for the 2026-27 season, they will be able to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The takeaway

Anthony Davis' latest injury setback highlights the ongoing concerns about his long-term durability and ability to stay on the court. As one of the NBA's most talented big men, his inability to avoid frequent injuries has hampered what should have been a Hall of Fame-caliber career. The Wizards are taking a cautious approach, but Davis' future remains uncertain as he aims to return next season.