Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Double-double off bench Sunday
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Gafford registered 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-7 FT), 12 rebounds and one block across 18 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 121-119 win over the Thunder.
It was the first double-double of the season for Gafford, who has been deployed as part of the second unit for three straight games. He's been a reliable source of secondary offense in November regardless of his role, scoring in double digits in seven straight contests while averaging 15.1 points, 7.3 boards and 1.6 blocks over that stretch while shooting 74.6 percent from the floor.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Shines off bench Saturday
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Gafford closed Saturday's 110-93 win over the Spurs with 22 points (9-10 FG, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 18 minutes.
Gafford and Dereck Lively have been alternating in the starting role, but the former is expected to continue coming off the bench in the next few games, according to Jason Kidd and per Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life. Gafford has been playing at a high level in recent days and has scored in double digits in six straight contests.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns to game Thursday
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Gafford (leg) has returned to Thursday's game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford departed the contest in the third quarter and went to the locker room briefly, but he returned to action a few minutes later. Gafford didn't start the contest, but with Dereck Lively in foul trouble, the former should handle increased minutes.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Heads to locker room Thursday
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Gafford headed to the locker room during the second half of Thursday's game against the Jazz due to an apparent leg injury, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
The big man headed to the locker room limping after staying down, and he looked in pain while grabbing his right leg as he exited the court. Dereck Lively is in foul trouble, so the Mavericks will have to rely on Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell in case Gafford doesn't return to the hardwood.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Moves to bench Thursday
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Gafford is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Jazz, Mark Followill of Bally Sports Southwest reports.
Gafford will move to the bench for the first time this season, meaning Dereck Lively will get the start at center in this one. The move is a bit puzzling since Gafford has been playing well in November, averaging 14.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 79.6 percent from the field in six contests.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Stuffs stat sheet in loss
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Gafford totaled 16 points (7-9 FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 34 minutes during Sunday's 122-120 loss to the Nuggets.
Gafford was the Mavericks' third-best scorer in this game behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and he delivered an impressive all-around effort while dealing with the threat of Nikola Jokic -- a daunting task in its own right. Gafford did an excellent job filling out the stat sheet with at least two tallies in each of the five major categories. He's averaging 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game since the beginning of November and should continue to see increased minutes until Dereck Lively (shoulder) is cleared to return.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns to game
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Gafford (undisclosed) returned to Sunday's game against the Magic with 11:04 remaining in the second quarter, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford briefly went back to the locker room in the first quarter before returning to the bench, and eventually to the game. The big man is expected to be available to finish out the remainder of the contest without any restrictions.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Briefly heads to locker room
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Gafford (undisclosed) briefly went back to the locker room in the first quarter of Sunday's game against Orlando but has since returned to the bench, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford briefly exited the game and went to the locker room, though he is back on the bench and will likely return to the floor. If the big man is limited or held out for the remainder of the game, Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell are likely to receive an increase in playing time.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns to game
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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: 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.
