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.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Questionable to play Sunday
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Gafford is questionable for Sunday's game against the Heat due to left shoulder soreness.
Gafford has been playing off the bench in recent games, as head coach Jason Kidd is testing to see how Dereck Lively performs in a starting role. However, Gafford has been posting solid numbers off the bench, scoring in double digits in his five appearances since the move and averaging 7.2 rebounds per game in that span. If he's out, then Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell would be in line to see more frontcourt minutes off the bench.
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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: 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: 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.
