Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Productive in second-unit role
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Gafford logged 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one block across 19 minutes during Tuesday's 118-99 loss to Denver.
Gafford had a decent stat line considering the minutes he played, and the big man posted his best scoring output since Dec. 28, when he had 15 points in a loss to the Trail Blazers. Gafford could be in line for a bigger role in the short term if Dereck Lively (ankle) ends up missing time following the injury he sustained Tuesday, particularly with the Mavericks playing the second leg of a back-to-back set Wednesday.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Full-go against Portland
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Gafford (ankle) is available for Thursday's game versus the Trail Blazers and won't operate on a minutes restriction, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing Dallas' previous contest due to a left ankle sprain. Gafford is averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 18.8 minutes across his last 10 appearances.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Questionable for Thursday
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Gafford (ankle) is questionable to play in Thursday's contest against Portland.
Gafford missed Tuesday's matchup with the Lakers due to his left ankle sprain, and he is in danger of missing another contest. However, the fact Gafford is being listed as questionable is a positive sign after coach Jason Kidd initially said the center was "probably going to be out for some time," per Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber will likely fill the big man minutes for the Mavericks if Gafford is ruled out again.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Out Tuesday
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Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Lakers.
As expected, Gafford will be sidelined for the second leg of a back-to-back set after head coach Jason Kidd said following Monday's 119-104 loss to the Grizzlies that Gafford is "probably going to be out some time" with a sprained left ankle. Dereck Lively is likely to see boosted minutes as the Mavericks' starting center in the short term, while Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber absorb the backup minutes that had previously fallen to Gafford.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Expected to miss time
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Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said after Monday's 119-104 loss to the Grizzlies that Gafford is "probably going to be out for some time" after exiting with 8:26 remaining in the second quarter due to a sprained left ankle, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford posted five points (2-3 FG, 1-3 FT), one rebound and one block in eight minutes before tweaking his ankle. He was able to walk off the court under his own power, but initial evaluations on Gafford's ankle injury apparently weren't favorable, given Kidd's post-game comments. A firmer timeline for Gafford's return should be available once he undergoes further testing, but fantasy managers can expect the reserve center to miss at least the Mavericks' remaining three games this week. While Gafford is sidelined, starter Dereck Lively will likely have a higher minutes ceiling, and Dwight Powell could move back into the rotation as a backup center. Maxi Kleber could also see more time at center after primarily being deployed as a reserve power forward this season.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Nights ends early with ankle sprain
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Gafford won't return to Monday's game against the Grizzlies due to a left ankle sprain. He recorded five points (2-3 FG, 1-3 FT), one rebound and one block over eight minutes before exiting.
The Mavericks should have a better idea of Gafford's timetable for a return after sending him in for further testing Tuesday. Dallas will conclude its back-to-back set Tuesday against the Lakers, and Gafford should probably be viewed as doubtful for that contest, at best. Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell could see more run as backup options at center behind Dereck Lively for however long Gafford is sidelined.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Goes down with leg injury
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Gafford went to the locker room during the second quarter of Monday's game against the Grizzlies due to a left leg injury, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Gafford will be considered questionable to return until the team has more to report on the severity of his injury. Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber could see more playing time if Gafford is unable to return.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Reverts to bench against Houston
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Gafford isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Rockets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
With Dereck Lively (hip) back in action, Gafford will head back to the bench Wednesday. In 17 games from the second unit this season, Gafford is averaging 11.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 19.1 minutes.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Flirts with double-double in loss
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Gafford closed Saturday's 126-122 loss to the Trail Blazers with 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, five blocks and one steal across 28 minutes.
With Dereck Lively (hip) sidelined, Gafford has taken over the role at the five with efficiency and effectiveness. While the 26-year old has the goods to be a starter for most NBA teams, he's had to contend with Lively since the former's move from Washington, limiting his fantasy potential. He's performing exceptionally well at the moment, but he'll be in a timeshare when Lively gets back.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Pops for 16 in Friday's start
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Gafford produced 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 29 minutes during Friday's 98-89 win over Phoenix.
With Dereck Lively (hip) banged up, Gafford made his first start since Dec. 1 and delivered solid numbers. The 26-year-old center bounced back from a zero-point dud in 13 minutes off the bench Christmas Day, but Gafford's main fantasy value comes at the defensive end of the court -- over the last 10 games, he's averaging 11.0 points, 4.8 boards and 1.2 blocks in only 18.5 minutes a contest while shooting 71.2 percent from the floor.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting sans Lively
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Gafford is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Suns, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
The Mavericks will deal with the absence of two regular starters, Luka Doncic (calf) and Dereck Lively (hip), meaning Gafford will step into the starting unit at center. Gafford is averaging 12.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game when deployed in a starting role this season.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Posts 23 points in reserve role
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Gafford accumulated 23 points (7-7 FG, 9-14 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one block in 21 minutes during Monday's 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers.
Gafford outplayed starter Dereck Lively, who managed only four points with the first unit during Monday's victory. After 11 starts to begin the season, Gafford has given way to Lively despite occasional evenings where he outscores his teammate. Maxi Kleber and P.J. Washington are also key pieces of Dallas' frontcourt, creating a shaky fantasy proposition when considering the position in fantasy.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Logs 16 minutes in loss
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Gafford registered nine points (4-4 FG, 1-3 FT), two rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 118-104 loss to Oklahoma City.
Gafford's playing time continues to trend in the wrong direction, having played fewer than 19 minutes in three of the past four games. After moving to the bench about a month ago, Gafford's role has fluctuated, resulting in somewhat muted production. While it is clear Dereck Lively has earned the trust of the coaching staff, there is a chance Gafford can force his way back into a 20+ minute role at some point in the near future.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Strong showing Sunday
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Gafford registered 19 points (7-11 FG, 5-7 FT), four rebounds and four assists across 27 minutes during Sunday's 137-131 win over Portland.
Gafford was efficient from the floor and posted a strong stat line on both ends of the court. This was his first start since Nov. 12 and extended his solid run of play, as the big man has scored in double digits in 13 appearances in a row. He's averaging 14.1 points per game while shooting an impressive 75.5 percent from the floor in that span.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting Sunday
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Gafford will start Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Gafford enters the starting five due to Dereck Lively (knee) being sidelined. This marks Gafford's first start since Nov. 12 and his 12th of the season. Through 11 starts, Gafford holds averages of 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Off injury report for Saturday
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Gafford (illness) is not on the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Utah.
Gafford missed Wednesday's win over the Knicks due to an illness, though he will suit up Saturday barring any unexpected setbacks. Across his last five outings, the big man has averaged 11.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals across 21.8 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns to practice
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Gafford (illness) participated in Friday's practice, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.comreports
Gafford missed Dallas' most recent outing due to an illness. However, the 26-year-old big man's return to practice is a good sign of his availability against Utah on Saturday.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Won't play Wednesday
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Gafford (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Gafford was a late addition to the injury report and will ultimately be sidelined by an illness. Dereck Lively, who left Monday's win over Atlanta early due to an illness, is available and should start at center again, while Maxi Kleber is a candidate for a few extra minutes off the bench in Gafford's absence.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Questionable for Wednesday
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Gafford (illness) is questionable to face the Knicks on Wednesday.
Gafford was a very late addition to the injury report which is not a good sign for fantasy managers. Starting center Dereck Lively is also questionable with an illness, so the Mavericks could potentially be very shorthanded in the frontcourt. If needed, the Mavericks could turn to Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Available Sunday
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Gafford (shoulder) is listed as available to play in Sunday's game against the Heat.
Gafford will play through left shoulder soreness Sunday and has yet to miss a matchup this season. The big man has operated off the bench in his last five outings, during which he has averaged 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 67.5 percent from the floor across 20.4 minutes per game.
