2025-26 Season Stats
Daniel Gafford News
35 articles
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
1 day ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Monday’s game against the Bucks.
Despite exiting Friday’s game against the Grizzlies early due to a sprained right ankle, Gafford started and played 19 minutes on Saturday. If he’s unable to play, the Mavericks may need to call on Moussa Cissé to fill the void, as Anthony Davis is questionable and Dereck Lively II is doubtful. Cissé played 19 minutes and contributed nine rebounds and three blocked shots on Saturday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
2 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is available to play against the Wizards on Saturday.
Gafford exited early on Friday, but he will be available against Washington. He’ll occupy his typical spot in the starting unit, which means Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse should fill out the backup center minutes.
Source: Mavs PR
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
3 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Wizards.
Gafford left Friday’s game against the Grizzlies with right ankle soreness and didn’t return. His status for Saturday is up in the air as he’s listed as questionable. Gafford joins Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II on the injury report as the Mavericks frontcourt has been decimated. Dwight Powell could see more minutes depending on who is available in the Mavericks frontcourt against the Wizards.
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
3 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will not return to Friday’s game against the Grizzlies.
Gafford, who did not make his first appearance of the season until November 1 after spraining his right ankle early in the preseason, exited Friday’s game due to soreness in that same body part. That’s concerning, given the recent injury history and the absences of Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II. With Dallas visiting Washington on Saturday, we could see more of Dwight Powell on the floor out of necessity.
Source: Dallas Mavericks
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 days ago
Daniel Gafford finished with 14 points (7-of-9 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, two steals and three blocks against the Rockets on Monday.
Prior to the game, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Gafford would remain on a minutes restriction of 15-18 minutes. However, he ended up playing 25 minutes in this one despite playing through right ankle discomfort in the second half. He tweaked the same ankle that had him sidelined to start the season, though he downplayed it after the game. It doesn’t seem like it will be an issue moving forward and exceeding the minutes restriction is a good sign that he’ll be more available moving forward.
Source: Christian Clark
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 days ago
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Daniel Gafford (ankle) will remain on a minutes restriction of around 15-18 minutes against the Rockets on Monday.
Gafford played 17 minutes against the Pistons on Saturday, and he will continue to play a limited role for Dallas. Without Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II available, Dwight Powell will continue to play significant minutes off the bench at center.
Source: Mike Curtis
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
9 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) finished Saturday’s loss to the Pistons with seven points (2-of-3 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes.
Injured during the first week of the preseason, Gafford made his season debut on Saturday. He was restricted to 15-18 minutes, and the Mavericks center started and played 17. Dwight Powell (five points, six rebounds and one assist) played 19 minutes off the bench, which may be the split for the Mavericks’ centers for the next few games. Gafford’s fantasy value moving forward will depend on how his ankle responds following games, and when Dereck Lively II (knee) and Anthony Davis (calf) are healthy enough to play. The Mavericks have a four-game Week 3 without a back-to-back, which may bode well for Gafford’s availability.
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
9 days ago
Cooper Flagg, Max Christie, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford will start Saturday’s game against the Pistons.
Gafford is available after missing more than a month with an ankle injury suffered during the first week of the preseason. However, while he is in the starting lineup, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said during his pregame availability that Gafford will be limited to 15-18 minutes. Dwight Powell will still get rotation minutes due to how banged-up the Mavericks are in the frontcourt. The other four starters are unchanged.
Source: NBA Lineups
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
10 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is available for Saturday’s game against the Pistons.
Gafford is still yet to appear in a game this year due to his ankle injury. While it’s unclear how many minutes he could play in his season debut, the 27-year-old big man is going to be active tonight and we can’t say the same about Anthony Davis (calf) and Dereck Lively II (knee). There’s certainly the opportunity for Gafford to play heavy minutes with the Mavericks shorthanded.
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
10 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Pistons.
With Gafford being considered questionable for Saturday’s game, that’s a step in the right direction for a player who’s been listed as doubtful for being ruled out of recent contests. The Mavericks will be without Anthony Davis (calf) and Dereck Lively II (knee), so they can use Gafford in any capacity. If Gafford can’t play, Dwight Powell’s minutes will increase, and the Mavericks will have to go small when Powell isn’t on the floor.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
13 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Pacers.
Injured early in the preseason, Gafford has yet to appear in a game this season. That’s likely to remain the case on Wednesday. Anthony Davis served as the starting center in Monday’s loss to the Thunder and will likely retain that role, as Dereck Lively II is also doubtful.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
14 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will not play against the Thunder on Monday.
Gafford’s season debut remains on hold as a lingering ankle injury will cause him to miss his fourth game to begin the 2025-26 campaign. With Dereck Lively II (knee) also out on Monday, Anthony Davis could see more minutes at center, while Dwight Powell would likely be a candidate to see increased opportunities against a productive Thunder frontcourt.
Source: Mavs PR
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
15 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Monday’s game against the Thunder.
Gafford has missed Dallas’ first three games with a sprained right ankle and appears likely to miss a fourth. With Dereck Lively II (knee) also doubtful, look for Anthony Davis to play most of his minutes at the five. Unless P.J. Washington is sitting on the waiver wire, and he shouldn’t be, there isn’t an appealing pickup for those who won’t be able to slot Gafford or Lively into their lineups.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
16 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game against the Raptors.
Initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, Gafford was downgraded to doubtful Saturday evening. He’s been ruled out, meaning Anthony Davis will slide over to center when he’s on the court, but Dereck Lively II is not.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
17 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) has been downgraded to doubtful against the Raptors on Sunday.
Initially listed as questionable, Gafford is now not expected to play against Toronto. When Dereck Lively II hasn’t been on the floor, Anthony Davis has played the center minutes, which will likely continue against the Raptors.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
17 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Raptors.
After missing the first two games with an ankle injury suffered during the first day of training camp, Gafford has a chance of playing Sunday night. The Mavericks have used Anthony Davis at center for extended periods when Dereck Lively II is not on the floor. AD would play most, if not all, of his minutes at power forward if Gafford can play against the Raptors.
Source: Mike Curtis
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
18 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out of Friday’s matchup with the Wizards.
Gafford will miss a second straight game, and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return. Dereck Lively II should remain locked into the starting center role, and fantasy managers will be hopeful that he can be on the floor longer than 10 minutes. Foul trouble and negative game script contributed to Lively II’s low playing time, and Dwight Powell saw only eight minutes off the bench. Both should be more involved against Washington.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
19 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable to play against the Wizards on Friday.
Gafford missed the regular season opener, but he could be available against Washington. Dereck Lively II should still start, but Gafford should fill out the center minutes when Lively isn’t out on the floor.
Source: Mike Curtis
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
19 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is out for Wednesday’s game against the Spurs.
Downgraded from questionable to doubtful Tuesday evening, Gafford is officially out for Wednesday’s season opener. His absence does not impact the starting lineup, as Dereck Lively II was locked in at the center position, but it does impact Dallas’ bench. Dwight Powell should serve as the backup center, but the Mavericks can also use Anthony Davis when Lively is not in the game. There’s no need to consider streaming Powell.
Source: Mike Curtis
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
21 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is now doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Spurs.
Initially questionable for Wednesday’s game, Gafford is doubtful to play due to a right ankle sprain. Given the downgrade, fantasy managers should play for him not to play. If that is the case, Dereck Lively II’s minutes may increase, and there will be moments when Anthony Davis is asked to slide down to the center position. AD getting some time at center would also boost the fantasy profiles of PJ Washington and Naji Marshall.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
21 days ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable to play against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Gafford hurt his ankle during the Mavericks’ first day of training camp and has been sidelined since. However, there is a chance that he is available to start the year. If Gafford plays, he’ll likely back up Dereck Lively II and split the center minutes. If he doesn’t, Lively will likely play a larger role, with Anthony Davis filling out the center minutes when Lively is on the bench.
Source: Christian Clark
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
about 1 month ago
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will miss the remainder of Mavericks training camp.
Gafford injured his ankle during Dallas’ first practice of training camp on Tuesday. According to Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, the 6-foot-10 center will miss the remainder of training camp and possibly the entire preseason. That timeline puts him at risk of not being available for Dallas’ regular-season opener on October 22. Dereck Lively II’s workload will increase if Gafford cannot return in time for the start of the regular season.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
5 months ago
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Daniel Gafford intends to sign a three-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million with the Mavericks.
Gafford has been a key player for the Mavericks since joining the team via a trade with the Wizards prior to the 2024 trade deadline. The 26-year-old center averaged 12.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.8 blocks per game this past year. Gafford saw an increase in production in an 11-game stretch where the team was without Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks continue to value size as they keep Gafford to go along with Lively II, Anthony Davis and presumed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg in the frontcourt. Gafford probably has more real-life value than fantasy value at this point.
Source: Shams Charania
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
5 months ago
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Daniel Gafford intends to sign a three-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million with the Mavericks.
Gafford has been a key player for the Mavericks since joining the team via a trade with the Wizards prior to the 2024 trade deadline. The 26-year-old center averaged 12.3 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.8 blocks per game this past year. Gafford saw an increase in production in an 11-game stretch where the team was without Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks continue to value size as they keep Gafford to go along with Lively II, Anthony Davis and presumed No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg in the frontcourt.
Source: Shams Charania
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 months ago
Daniel Gafford shot 8-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul line in Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 19 minutes.
Dallas rested most of its key rotation players, with Gafford being one of the exceptions. He only played 19 minutes on Sunday, but the stat line was undoubtedly helpful to fantasy managers in active leagues. Dallas will be the tenth seed in the West, meaning they’ll visit Sacramento on Wednesday. The winner will get to play for the eighth seed, while the loser will head home for the summer.
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 months ago
Daniel Gafford (knee) and Jaden Hardy (ankle) are out for Saturday’s game against the Clippers.
Gafford is sitting out Saturday’s game because it is the Mavericks’ second in as many nights. Dallas will have suitable coverage for Gafford’s absence, with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II on track to play. Hardy sprained his right ankle during the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Clippers. His absence should free up additional minutes for fellow reserve Max Christie, who is worth a look in deep leagues.
Source: Grant Afseth
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 months ago
Daniel Gafford (knee) is questionable to play against the Clippers on Saturday.
Gafford started on Friday in the first leg of the Mavericks’ mini-series with the Clippers, and there is a chance that he suits up for the second game. However, it is more likely that he sits out, which would allow Kai Jones to once again play a large role off the bench, with Dereck Lively II starting at center.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 months ago
Daniel Gafford returned to the lineup on Monday and contributed 17 points (7-of-9 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds and two assists in a 113-109 loss to the Nets.
Gafford was expected to be restricted to 15-20 minutes, and head coach Jason Kidd used him for 19 minutes in his first game since February 9. It wasn’t enough for Dallas to get the win, but Gafford was able to lead them in scoring, which was good to see in his first game in nearly two months. Gafford should see a similar workload against the Hawks on Wednesday and then will likely only play one leg of their back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. He has been able to provide excellent value in limited action throughout his career, so it isn’t surprising that he was able to do that in his first game back.
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 months ago
Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford against the Nets on Monday.
Gafford will play for the first time since February 9, and he will immediately return to the starting unit. He’ll replace Kai Jones as the starting center, but Gafford is on a 15-20 minutes restriction. Jones should still play a significant role off the bench.
Source: NBA Lineups
Daniel Gafford
DAL • F-C • #21
7 months ago
Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford will start against the Nets on Monday.
Gafford will play for the first time since February 9, and he will immediately return to the starting unit. He’ll replace Kai Jones as the starting center, but Gafford is on a 15-20 minutes restriction. Jones should still play a significant role off the bench.
Source: NBA Lineups