Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns for second half
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Gafford returned to the floor for the Mavericks after suffering an apparent neck injury in the first half, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
With the Mavericks dealing with several key players being in and out of the lineup this season, Gafford returning for the second half against the Thunder is a promising sign for Dallas. The 26-year-old big man is helping shoulder the load in the frontcourt with Dereck Lively (ankle) potentially out for the remainder of the regular season.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Leaves for locker room Thursday
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Gafford exited to the locker room after sustaining an apparent neck injury during the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Thunder, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Gafford stayed down on the court for an extended period, calling for the training staff after a scary fall. With the Mavericks thin at center, Maxi Kleber and Olivier-Maxence Prosper will likely see a bump in minutes the rest of the way if Gafford is unable to return.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Second straight double-double
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Gafford posted 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 boards, three blocks, two assists and one steal across 33 minutes of action in Wednesday's 115-114 loss to the Timberwolves.
Gafford continued to capitalize on Dereck Lively's (foot) absence Wednesday, logging his third double-double in the four games that the latter's been sidelined. In that stretch, he's averaged 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks while shooting 76.2 percent from the field. With Lively expected to miss multiple months, Gafford has become an extremely attractive fantasy option. He'll look to keep rolling Thursday against the Thunder.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Season-best outing in double-double
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Gafford recorded 31 points (12-15 FG, 7-7 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, six blocks and one steal over 34 minutes during Monday's 110-105 loss to the Hornets.
Gafford dominated Monday's contest, putting forth his best outing of the season while leading all players in rebounds and blocks and finishing as one of two Mavericks with 30 or more points in a double-double performance. Gafford set season-high marks in scoring, rebounds and blocks while surpassing the 30-point mark for the first time. He has now recorded a double-double on four occasions, doing so in two of his last three contests.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Dominates in spot start
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Gafford accumulated 27 points (12-13 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 119-116 loss to the Pelicans.
Gafford took over the starting role, replacing Dereck Lively who was ruled out due to an ankle injury. After weeks of playing second fiddle to Lively, Gafford was able to showcase his talents, recording his first double-double in more than six weeks. As long as Lively is sidelined, Gafford should continue to log heavy minutes on a team clawing and scratching for every win in a loaded Western Conference.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Starting Wednesday
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Gafford will start Wednesday's game against the Pelicans.
Gafford will join the first unit at center Wednesday for the Mavericks in the absence of second-year big man Dereck Lively, who is out with an ankle injury. Gafford is averaging 12.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 15 games as a starter this season.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
