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: 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: 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.
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.
