Instant Reactions: Mavericks center Anthony Davis exits with groin injury

Christmas Day is often the merriest day of the year, but for Dallas Mavericks fans it has become a source of frustration.

Last season marked the final Christmas game of Luka Doncic’s career with the franchise. Doncic suffered a calf injury on Christmas and was traded in February.

With Doncic gone, Mavericks fans hoped this holiday season would be different.

It was not.

Mavericks wing Naji Marshall threw a lead pass downcourt to Anthony Davis, but the center slowed before securing the ball. Davis was experiencing muscle spasms in his right groin.

Davis immediately limped to the bench and later went to the locker room after being evaluated. He was ruled out after halftime. Davis missed six weeks last season with a left adductor strain.

With Davis exiting with right muscle spasms remaining in the second quarter, Dallas fell 126-116 to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at Chase Center.