Gafford (leg) returned to Tuesday's game versus the Timberwolves with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter.
Gafford left Tuesday's contest with an apparent leg injury but ultimately missed just over eight minutes of action. The 26-year-old big man should be available to finish out the rest of the game.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Heads to locker room Tuesday
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Gafford (leg) limped off the court in the beginning of the second quarter during Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Naz Reid and Gafford collided and knocked knees, sending the big man limping to the locker room. The 26-year-old's status is something to monitor the rest of the way. Dereck Lively and Naji Marshall are both candidates for an increased role if Gafford is unable to return.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting Thursday
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Gafford will start in Thursday's regular-season opener against the Spurs, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
As expected, Dereck Lively will come off the bench behind Gafford. The 26-year-old is coming off a career-best year, during which he spent time with both the Wizards and Mavericks. Gafford averaged 11.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.0 combined steals plus blocks across 24.5 minutes per game in 74 regular-season outings in the 2023-24 campaign.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Stuffs stat sheet Thursday
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Gafford notched 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 17 minutes in Thursday's 109-84 preseason win over the Bucks.
Gafford made the most of his starting role in this preseason finale, though his fantasy upside looking ahead to the regular season is uncertain. He's likely to split time with Dereck Lively at the five, and that rotation won't help either player boost their fantasy stock. Gafford averaged 11.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game across 74 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 while spending time with the Mavericks and Wizards.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns to starting lineup
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Gafford will start in Thursday's preseason game against the Bucks, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Dallas' head coach, Jason Kidd, has been tweaking the lineup constantly in the preseason, and that will be the case again Thursday, with Gafford set to take over at center. Gafford is battling Dereck Lively for the starting role.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Not starting vs. Utah
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Gafford is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
The Mavericks are tweaking the majority of their starting lineup for this contest, and Gafford will be part of the second unit. Dereck Lively will start under center.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Limited minutes in Game 5 loss
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Gafford recorded six points (3-5 FG) and three rebounds in 11 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Gafford was efficient in his limited playing time in the Mavericks' Game 5 loss. However, the 25-year-old did see a massive decline in minutes in the Finals, during which he averaged 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks across only 14.8 minutes. In comparison, during the final two Western Conference playoff series, Gafford averaged 10.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 67.1 percent from the field. The big man was a crucial addition for Dallas at the trade deadline, and he will remain under contract with the team until 2026-27, as the Mavericks will attempt to make it back to the Finals with their core group next season.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Misses out on double-double
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Gafford amassed 11 points (3-3 FG, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
With the return of Dereck Lively, Gafford saw his playing time decrease from 31 minutes in Game 4 to 20 in Game 5. Regardless, Gafford was able to maintain his productivity, recording at least one block for the 11th straight contest. The 24-year-old big averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 24.4 minutes across the five games in the Western Conference Finals.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Swats five shots in win
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Gafford amassed 16 points (8-10 FG, 0-2 FT), five rebounds and five blocks over 21 minutes during Friday's 109-108 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Gafford was nearly perfect from the field and made his presence felt defensively, recording three or more blocks for the third time across his last eight playoff contests and tying his postseason-best mark in that category. Gafford's two-way play has been massive for Dallas against a frontcourt loaded with size. He's averaging 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game over his last five contests.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Close to double-double in win
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Gafford accumulated 10 points (5-9 FG), nine rebounds and one block across 21 minutes during Wednesday's 108-105 win over Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Gafford has been rotating at center with Dereck Lively, but the former Wizards big man continues to deliver every time he's called upon duty. He's scored in double digits in six of his last eight playoff contests, a span in which he's averaging 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. It's only one game, but he looked quite good despite dealing with the presence and threat of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the contest.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starts second half
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Gafford (shoulder) has returned for the second half of Saturday's Game 3 against the Thunder, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Gafford briefly went to the locker room in the second quarter grabbing at his left shoulder but was able to take the floor for the second half. If he's restricted due to the injury, Dereck Lively would be next in line for minutes.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Heads to locker room
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Gafford exited in the second quarter of Game 3 against Oklahoma City on Saturday with a left shoulder injury, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
An injury to Gafford could be devastating for the Mavericks, as he's been a solid contributor down low for Dallas. If he's unable to return, then Dereck Lively would be in line for a bigger role.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Strong performance in loss
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Gafford totaled 16 points (5-12 FG, 6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and five blocks across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Gafford recorded a double-double in the loss, adding five blocks. It was arguably his best performance of the postseason and something the Mavericks are going to need more of should they hope to advance to the Conference Finals. Despite the loss, the scoreline does not reflect that the Mavericks kept this close for three quarters.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Good to go Friday
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Gafford (back) is available for Friday's Game 3 against the Clippers.
Gafford has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday despite dealing with back spasms. Gafford should start at center for the third straight game to begin the series.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Present at shootaround
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Gafford (back) was on the court and walking around during shootaround ahead of Friday's Game 3 versus the Clippers, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Gafford is officially listed as questionable Friday due to back spasms. The 24-year-old big man's availability will likely be determined shortly before tipoff at 8 pm ET.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Deemed questionable for Friday
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Gafford (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News reports.
The questionable tag on Gafford is not surprising, as the big man missed Thursday's practice due to his lower back problem. If he can't go Friday, then Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Misses practice, iffy for Friday
Rotowire
Gafford didn't participate in Thursday's practice and is considered questionable for Friday's Game 3 versus the Clippers due to a lower back injury, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Gafford is in danger of missing Friday's contest after a lower back injury limited him to nine minutes of action in Game 2. If Gafford is officially ruled out, Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Non-factor in Game 2 victory
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Gafford logged zero points (0-3 FG), one rebound and one assist in nine minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Gafford got the starting nod but managed just nine minutes in the victory. Given the Mavericks' depth at the center position, Gafford's role is likely to hinge on individual matchups. Over the first two playoff matchups this year, he's averaged just 1.5 points in 11.5 minutes per game. With the series now level at 1-1, the Mavericks will head home as they attempt to seize the upper hand.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Checks back into game
Rotowire
Gafford (back) returned to Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers with 7:54 remaining in the second quarter.
Gafford was deemed questionable to return after sustaining a lower back injury, but he returned to the court after missing approximately one quarter. The 24-year-old big man will look to make a bigger impact than he did in Game 1, when he tallied just three points and zero rebounds.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Questionable to return Tuesday
Rotowire
Gafford is questionable for the remainder of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers due to a lower back injury.
Gafford recorded no stats in three minutes of action before exiting Tuesday's contest with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter due to a lower back injury. If Gafford is unable to return, Dereck Lively will likely serve as Dallas' primary center.
