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The Dallas Mavericks received an unwelcome update on Thursday, with a report that center Daniel Gafford won’t be back for at least six weeks due to a ligament sprain in his right knee.

The Mavericks were already down several other big men, including Anthony Davis (adductor strain) and centers Dereck Lively II (fractured ankle) and Dwight Powell (hip) before Gafford left Monday’s overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Gafford was diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain of the MCL. The team expected to get an evaluation about Gafford in about two weeks, but ESPN cited unnamed sources in Thursday’s reporting.

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.

Dallas is eighth in the Western Conference, which would put it in the play-in tournament. The Mavericks have won four of their last five games, and host West cellar-dweller New Orleans on Friday night.

–Field Level Media