The depleted Dallas Mavericks frontcourt has taken another hit with the loss of center Daniel Gafford to a right knee sprain, the team announced on Tuesday.
The Mavericks said Gafford, 26, will be reevaluated within two weeks.
Gafford collected four points, three rebounds and two assists in a 129-128 overtime loss Monday to the visiting Sacramento Kings. He had played only 10 minutes when he set a screen at the top of the key for guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Kings guard Malik Monk collided into Gafford, who fell down with a visible knee injury and did not return to the game.
Dallas already lost All-Star center Anthony Davis — acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the huge trade for All-Star guard Luka Doncic. Davis, who didn’t make it through his debut with the Mavericks last Saturday, is out indefinitely with a left adductor strain.
Center Dereck Lively II was sidelined last month with a stress fracture in his right ankle and likely is months away from returning. Center Dwight Powell (hip) has no date to return, while recent acquisition Caleb Martin (hip) also is out. Power forward P.J. Washington is unavailable due to a right ankle sprain.
Gafford is averaging 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.9 blocks and 21.9 minutes in 51 games (28 starts) this season.
He averages for his career 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.6 blocks and 19.8 minutes in 372 games (212 starts). A second-round pick by Chicago in the 2019 NBA Draft, Gafford has played for the Bulls (2019-21), Washington Wizards (2021-24) and Mavericks.
The Mavericks host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and the Miami Heat on Thursday before the All-Star break.
–Field Level Media
Julius Randle scored 24 points and dished 11 assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 117-93 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their Western…
Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards left the Timberwolves’ Thursday playoff game against the Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis after sustaining a sprained left ankle on a drive to the rim. Edwards…
Former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry was hit by a countersuit seeking $100 million on Thursday from an ex-employee who maintains the billionaire subjected her to years of sexual harassment…
Wolves’ Anthony Edwards exits due to ankle injury
Ex-Bucks owner Marc Lasry subject of sexual misconduct suit
Nuggets leaning on experience, Thunder on road prowess in Game 3
A’ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces’ early exit in ’24