Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis is going to have a noticeably different look when he steps onto the basketball court this upcoming season.
The 32-year-old basketball forward revealed at the Mavericks’ media day on September 29 that he will immediately be wearing protective eyewear during every game for the remainder of his career. The change comes after a frightening injury that happened last spring.
On April 2, during a matchup when teammate Daniel Gafford accidentally elbowed him in the right eye, Davis suffered a cut that required stitches. Although he managed to return later in the game, further medical judgement revealed a detached retina—an injury that ultimately required surgery to repair.
Because of the long-term risks associated with eye injuries, doctors advised Davis that he’ll need to wear goggles on the court moving forward.
“I’m not too excited about it,” Davis admitted to reporters. “I’ve been wearing them this summer while working out, just trying to get used to them. You guys will see me in the Horace Grants this year.”
The reference was a nod to former NBA legend Horace Grant, who famously wore protective goggles throughout his career. The basketball forward also suffered a left knee injury late in the 2024-25 regular season.
In an April 2025 interview, teammate Gafford spoke about always Davis overcoming his injuries saying, “I mean, he’s picking up from where he left off. Taking another step into that leadership role, for sure. I’m pretty sure he’s been up and down when it comes to the minutes restriction. It just shows how he carries himself, his demeanor, and just how much gravity he kind of pulls towards him while he’s on the floor. Just makes the job easier for everybody else out there.”
With protective eyewear immediately a permanent part of his game, Davis isn’t just protecting his vision—he’s also proving to his teammates that nothing can shake his determination to lead on and off the floor.
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