Image Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

“Shut AD down” – Shaquille O’Neal advises Mavs to follow Joel Embiid route for Anthony Davis

O'Neal dropped a suggestion that the Mavs should shift their focus on next season.

Image Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

NBA on TNT analyst and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has shared his opinion on the Mavericks, who are going through a tough season due to regular injuries. Dallas faced a major setback on Tuesday after Kyrie Irving’s season-ending injury. The nine-time All-Star had a torn ACL in his left knee.

Irving’s injury has ended the Mavericks’ hopes to qualify for the playoffs. The 32-year-old was forced to leave the game in the opening quarter against the Sacramento Kings. Despite all this, O’Neal dropped a suggestion that the Mavs should shift their focus on next season.

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Shaquille O’Neal wants Mavericks to keep AD fresh for next season

Anthony Davis is also out from the Mavericks’ roster due to a groin injury sustained on his Mavs debut. The former Lakers guard has missed out nine straight games. Shaq wants the Mavericks to shut Davis down for the remainder of the season.

Shaquille O’Neal wants the Mavericks to follow Joel Embiid, who was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a left knee sprain. The 76ers decided to shut him down for the season as Embiid was receiving frequent injections to play in the regular season.

The NBA legend wants the same treatment for Anthony Davis to keep the player fresh for the 2025-26 season.

“I think the Dallas organization needs to go the Joel Embiid route (and) shut AD down also,” Shaq said, referencing how Philadelphia have ruled Embiid out for the entire season. “Get ready for next year.”

Shaq feels that the Mavericks should take a call on AD for the next season. TNT analyst also claimed that Dallas cannot win an NBA championship without Irving and Antony Davis.

"If I was Nico and those guys, I would just shut AD down" 🗣️@SHAQ sends love to Kyrie and speaks on the Mavs' plans moving forward. pic.twitter.com/m2xlLRSe5l
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 5, 2025

“They have no shot of winning a championship without Kyrie and without a healthy AD, so if I was (the Mavericks general manager) and those guys, I would just shut AD down.” Shaq added. “We’ll work him out hard in the summer and come back next year.”

NBA insider Shams Charania also reported on Tuesday that Anthony Davis will be ruled out for the remainder of the season. If it happens, the Mavericks’ 2024-25 season will be over.

Image Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.