“This experiment is over” – NBA icon rips Anthony Davis following Dallas Mavericks’ devastating defeat

The Dallas Mavericks have received another blow. On a national stage against the Golden State Warriors, Dallas showed flashes of promise. However, it was not the best of times for the team as the night went on, Anthony Davis had to exit early with a groin issue. The 126-116 loss was painful. Considering the recent history of AD’s injury, at least since being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers, the conversation around the Mavericks is on the rise. Charles Barkley did not sugarcoat what he saw. The Hall of Famer rips AD’s consistency amid growing concern about Dallas’ direction as injuries once again defined a season that already feels fragile.The moment Davis left the floor, the tone of the game changed, and the Mavs went on to the direction of the crushing defeat despite Cooper Flagg’s game-high score.Anthony Davis’ night ended in the second quarter after he slowed while chasing a lead pass and grabbed at his groin. He limped to the bench, headed to the locker room, and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Mavericks offered no immediate timetable, but the reaction was swift.During ESPN’s coverage, Charles Barkley gave his thoughts without hesitation. “What are the Mavs gonna do? They’re in trouble now,” he said. “Because it’s clear to me that Anthony Davis, as much as we like him and love him as a player, he’s never gonna be healthy. … They’ve got to make a decision.”Davis has already missed significant time this season and carries a long injury history. Dallas acquired him, hoping for stability after seismic roster changes, but availability has again become the defining issue. Even coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the blow, saying, “Losing AD definitely hurt when one of our best players goes out.”The loss added to Dallas’ fifth straight road defeat and dropped the team to 12-20, a record that mirrors the uncertainty surrounding its core.While frustration hovered over Davis’ exit, Cooper Flagg delivered a standout performance. The 19-year-old rookie poured in 27 points on 13-of-21 shooting, adding six rebounds and five assists in his first NBA Christmas Day game. He attacked mismatches, absorbed contact, and showed poise beyond his age.Barkley did not hesitate to connect the dots. “I think I might move on,” he said. “If I was running the team, I’d say, ‘You know what? It’s Cooper’s team now.’”“I would move on ... this experiment is over,” Barkley said. “It’s time to do a full rebuild in Dallas. Build around Cooper Flagg.”Flagg’s performance placed him in rare company, becoming the first rookie since Pete Maravich to post a 25-5-5 line on Christmas Day. Post-game, Flagg also earned heartfelt praise from Warriors legend, Stephen Curry.Also Read: Why did Charles Barkley lose cool on air? Hall of Famer takes a dig at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for a concerning reason