Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Positive impact in loss
Rotowire
Gafford had five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 18 minutes during Friday's 120-106 Play-In Game loss to the Grizzlies.
Despite the Mavericks suffering a season-ending loss Friday, Gafford posted a team-high plus-six point differential. Gafford made 57 regular-season appearances during his first full season in Dallas and started in 31 games, splitting time at center with Dereck Lively. Across Gafford's 57 outings, he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Back to bench for Play-In
Rotowire
Gafford isn't part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Kings, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.
Gafford drew a spot start during the Mavericks' final regular-season game due to the absence of Dereck Lively. With Lively healthy, Gafford will return to the second unit. In his last six games, Gafford is averaging 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across 18.7 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Efficient in regular-season finale
Rotowire
Gafford contributed 20 points (8-10 FG, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 19 minutes during Sunday's 132-97 loss to the Grizzlies.
Gafford got the start Sunday due to the absence of Dereck Lively (ankle), and the big man made the most of the opportunity by posting a solid fantasy line, all while displaying his efficient touch near the rim. Gafford has been limited to only three starts since the All-Star break, although he did miss considerable time due to a knee injury that forced him to miss 21 games between Feb. 12 and March 29. He's likely to play off the bench in the postseason, with the Mavericks likely starting Anthony Davis (groin) and Lively in Wednesday's matchup against the Kings in the Play-In Tournament.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Gafford will start Sunday's game against the Grizzlies, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
With Dereck Lively (ankle) unavailable, Gafford will slide into the starting lineup. It's unclear how many minutes Gafford will play Sunday, but as a starter this season (30 games), the big man has averaged 13.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 25.0 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Cleared from injury report
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.
Gafford didn't play in Saturday's game against the Clippers as the Mavericks monitor his workload, but he's all set to be available for Wednesday. Across his last three appearances since returning from an extended absence, Gafford has averaged 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.3 blocks in 19.2 minutes while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Dereck Lively could head back to the second unit against Los Angeles.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Not playing Saturday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) is out for Saturday's game against the Clippers, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford will sit this game out after playing in each of the Mavericks' last three contests. The team is being cautious with Gafford's workload, as he missed 21 consecutive games between Feb. 12 and March 29. His next chance to play will come against the Lakers on Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Questionable Saturday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Gafford has played the last three games for the Mavericks after returning from a 21-game absence due to a knee issue. However, he is in danger of missing Saturday's game in Los Angeles, which would likely result in Dereck Lively (ankle) seeing extended minutes in the frontcourt along with Kai Jones and Dwight Powell.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting Friday
Rotowire
Gafford will start in Friday's game against the Clippers.
Gafford will return to the starting five on Friday, though he'll likely still face restrictions during his third outing back following a 21-game absence due to a Grade 3 MCL sprain. The big man has amassed 28 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and a block across 39 total minutes in two appearances since the extended absence.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Efficient from field in return
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) tallied 17 points (6-9 FG, 3-6 FT), seven rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes Monday in the Mavericks' 113-109 loss to the Nets.
The poor free-throw shooting made Gafford's performance less palatable in category-based leagues, but the veteran center otherwise delivered a strong outing in his return from a 21-game absence due to a Grade 3 MCL sprain. Gafford supplanted Kai Jones in the starting five in his return, but because Gafford was operating under a 20-minute restriction, the two ended up seeing similar playing time. The disparity could grow wider as Gafford becomes further removed from the injury, but he'll soon face a more formidable threat for playing time in Dereck Lively (ankle). Lively missed his 35th straight game Monday, but he was upgraded to questionable before being ruled out and could be ready to play as soon as Dallas' next game Wednesday versus Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting in return
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) will start in Monday's game against the Nets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford will replace Kai Jones in the starting five in his return from a 21-game absence due to a right MCL sprain and will be restricted to 15-to-20 minutes, per Afseth. Prior to his injury, Gafford was averaging 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 assists in 21.9 minutes per gam over his 51 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Cleared to play Monday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) is available for Monday's game against the Nets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford will return from a 21-game absence due to a right MCL sprain, though he'll operate under a minutes restriction of 15-to-20 minutes, per Afseth. The 26-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 assists across 21.9 minutes per game in 51 appearances prior to sustaining the injury.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Likely to play Monday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) is listed as probable for Monday's game against the Nets.
Gafford hasn't played since Feb. 10, when he suffered a Grade 3 right MCL sprain in a loss to the Kings. He's been practicing for nearly two weeks, and Gafford looks to have made enough progress to put himself on track to return Monday. It's unclear whether Gafford will start if he's available, but his ability to play would leave fewer minutes available for centers Kai Jones and Dwight Powell.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Remains out Saturday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bulls.
Gafford won't return to the floor Saturday for Dallas, as his absence will extend to 21 games due to a sprained right knee. The next opportunity for the 26-year-old big man to return to the floor will be Monday against the Nets.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Doubtful for Saturday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Bulls.
Gafford has been dealing with a right knee sprain for quite some time, and the doubtful tag suggests there's a big chance the big man will miss his 21st straight contest. Gafford hasn't played since Feb. 10.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Practicing in G League
Rotowire
The Mavericks assigned Gafford (knee) to the G League's Texas Legends on Friday to participate in a 3-on-3 practice and will recall him after, NBA reporter Marc Stein reports.
Gafford hasn't played since Feb. 10 due to a right MCL sprain but appears to be ramping up toward a return to action. With Dereck Lively (ankle) and Anthony Davis (adductor) also set to practice in the G League, Dallas could receive a massive boost in their frontcourt before the end of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Progressing in recovery
Rotowire
The Mavericks announced Friday that Gafford (knee) is showing progress in his recovery and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Gafford was diagnosed with a Grade 3 right MCL sprain in mid-February and was expected to miss at least six weeks. The big man seems to be on track in his recovery from the injury, and he could be available to make his return to the court by early April if he's able to increase his on-court work later this month. With Dereck Lively (ankle) and Anthony Davis (adductor) also out indefinitely, Kai Jones (quadricep) and Dwight Powell could end up seeing most of the minutes at center for the foreseeable future.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Out at least six weeks
Rotowire
Gafford was diagnosed Thursday with a Grade 3 right MCL sprain and will miss at least six weeks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Charania had initially reported Tuesday that the Mavericks would re-evaluate Gafford in two weeks after injuring his knee in Monday's overtime loss to the Kings, but after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain, the veteran center will be in line for an even more extended absence. With Anthony Davis (adductor) and Dereck Lively (ankle) also facing long-term absences, the Mavericks will likely have to lean more heavily on small-ball lineups featuring P.J. Washington (ankle), Kessler Edwards or Olivier-Maxence Prosper at center during the second half of the season. With Gafford now likely to remain out until at least early April, he can safely be dropped in most redraft formats.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: To be re-evaluated in two weeks
Rotowire
Gafford is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks after sustaining a right knee sprain during Monday's 129-128 overtime loss to the Kings, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The big man will join Anthony Davis (thigh), Dereck Lively (ankle) and Dwight Powell (hip) on the sideline for the foreseeable future, leaving the Mavericks extremely thin in the frontcourt. P.J. Washington (ankle) will likely serve as the club's small-ball center, though Kylor Kelley and Olivier-Maxence Prosper could also see a bump in playing time with Gafford on the shelf.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Gafford (knee) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Warriors.
Gafford suffered a right knee sprain against Sacramento and will remain sidelined Wednesday. P.J. Washington and ad Kylor Kelley will likely receive the majority of Dallas' center minutes with Dereck Lively (ankle), Anthony Davis (thigh) and Dwight Powell (hip) all out. Gafford's next chance to suit up is Thursday's matchup with Miami.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Leaves early with sprained knee
Rotowire
Gafford won't return to Monday's game against the Kings due to a right knee sprain.
The Mavericks didn't wait long to rule Gafford out for the remainder of the game after he collided with the Kings' Malik Monk early in the second quarter, resulting in the Dallas center exiting the contest and requiring assistance walking back to the locker room. Gafford will finish the game with four points (2-2 FG), three rebounds and two assists across 10 minutes. The Mavericks were already thin on frontcourt help heading into the contest with Anthony Davis (adductor) likely to miss multiple weeks and with P.J. Washington (ankle) and Dwight Powell (hip) both sidelined, and Gafford's early exit leaves the team even thinner. Two-way player Kylor Kelley is the only healthy center on the roster, though Dallas may prefer to get by with small-ball lineups for the rest of Monday's contest.
