DANIEL GAFFORD NEWS

P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford helping to change culture in Dallas | NBA.com The Mavericks' trade deadline acquisitions have been instrumental in turning the season around for Dallas.

MAY 11 • NBA.COM

Strong performance in loss Gafford totaled 16 points (5-12 FG, 6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and five blocks across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conferen...

Impact Gafford recorded a double-double in the loss, adding five blocks. It was arguably his best performance of the postseason and something the Mavericks are going to need more of should they hope to advance to the Conference Finals. Despite the loss, the scoreline does not reflect the fact that the Mavericks kept this close for three quarters.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Gilgeous-Alexander has 29 points to help Thunder roll past Mavericks in Game 1 of West semifinals

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points to help the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Dallas Mavericks 117-95 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series

MAY 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mavs' big men, specifically Daniel Gafford, will have increased opportunity vs. Thunder After facing the physical Ivica Zubac in Round 1, Gafford will have the challenge of matching up with Chet Holmgren in the Western Conferenc...

MAY 6 • DALLASNEWS.COM

Luka Doncic and Mavericks earn chippy win over Clippers for 2-1 series lead

Luka Doncic had 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and the Dallas Mavericks took a chippy 101-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers...

APRIL 27

Luka Doncic and defensive-minded Mavs take a chippy 101-90 win over Clippers for 2-1 series lead

Luka Doncic had 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and the suddenly defensive-minded Dallas Mavericks took a chippy 101-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers for a 2-1 lea...

APRIL 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Good to go Friday Gafford (back) is available for Friday's Game 3 against the Clippers.

Impact Gafford has been upgraded from questionable to available Friday despite dealing with back spasms. Gafford should start at center for the third straight game to start the series.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Present at shootaround Gafford (back) was on the court and walking around during shootaround ahead of Friday's Game 3 versus the Clippers, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Gafford is officially listed as questionable Friday due to back spasms. The 24-year-old big man's availability will likely be determined shortly before tipoff at 8 pm ET.

APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE

Listed questionable for Friday Gafford (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News reports.

Impact The questionable tag on Gafford is not surprising, as the big man missed Thursday's practice due to his lower back problem. If he can't go Friday, then Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber are candidates to receive increased playing time.

APRIL 25 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice, iffy for Friday Gafford didn't participate in Thursday's practice and is considered questionable for Friday's Game 3 versus the Clippers due to a lower back injury, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Impact Gafford is in danger of missing Friday's contest after a lower back injury limited him to nine minutes of action in Game 2. If Gafford is officially ruled out, Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber are candidates to receive increased playing time.

APRIL 25 • ROTOWIRE

Non-factor in Game 2 victory Gafford logged zero points (0-3 FG), one rebound and one assist in nine minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Impact Gafford got the starting nod but managed just nine minutes in the victory. Given the Mavericks' depth at the center position, Gafford's role is likely to hinge on individual matchups and his on-court production. With the series now level at 1-1, Dallas will head home as they attempt to seize the upper hand.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Checks back into game Gafford (back) returned to Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers with 7:54 remaining in the second quarter.

Impact Despite being deemed questionable to return due to a lower back injury, Gafford ultimately missed about a quarter of action Tuesday. The 24-year-old big man will look to make a bigger impact than he did in Game 1 when he tallied just three points and zero rebounds.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Tuesday Gafford is questionable for the remainder of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers due to a lower back injury.

Impact Gafford recorded no stats in three minutes of action before exiting Tuesday's contest with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter due to a lower back injury. If Gafford is unable to return, Dereck Lively will likely serve as Dallas' primary center.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Will play in series opener Sunday Gafford (elbow) is not in the official injury report and will be available with no limitations for Game 1 of the series against the Clippers on Sunday.

Impact Gafford didn't play in the Mavericks' final game of the regular season since the coaching staff wanted to rest him before the start of the playoffs, but he shouldn't have any limitations for the series opener against the Clippers on Sunday. Expect him to handle his regular workload as Dallas' starting center, as he averaged 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game over his last 10 appearances.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Sunday Gafford is out for Sunday's game against the Thunder due to right elbow soreness.

Impact The Mavericks have already clinched a postseason berth and a matchup against the Clippers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, so they're not going to risk Gafford, who has been the team's starting center since being acquired from the Wizards via trade before the deadline. Gafford ends the regular season with averages of 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 78 percent from the field in 29 appearances (21 starts) with Dallas.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 26 points in win Gafford posted 26 points (12-12 FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 130-104 win over Charlotte.

Impact Gafford matched his career-best mark with 26 points on the night. He's been remarkably efficient, hitting 79.7 percent of his shots over his last 10 appearances. He's also on pace to be one of six players in NBA history to shoot over 70 percent for the entire season.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Forceful down low in victory Gafford notched 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 FT), 15 rebounds, five assists and three blocks across 31 minutes during Friday's 108-106 win over the Warriors.

Impact Gafford took the fewest shots among Dallas' starters, but he made a big impact in other areas. The big man led all players with 15 rebounds and three blocks and even contributed as a passer with five dimes. Gafford's 31 minutes were his most since joining the Mavericks in early February, and he logged his first double-double since March 25.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Swats five shots Gafford racked up six points (3-4 FG), four rebounds, three assists, five blocks and one steal over 22 minutes during Sunday's 125-107 win over the Rockets.

Impact This was Gafford's 14th career game with at least five blocks, and he needed only 22 minutes to do it Sunday. He's been terrific for Dallas lately, averaging 12.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.5 blocks over his last 10 games.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy basketball 2023-2024: Lessons learned, from Jordan Poole to Daniel Gafford As the season winds to a close, Stan Son reflects on the lessons he's learned, or were reinforced, during this fantasy basketball campaign.

MARCH 28 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Delivers defensive show Gafford ended with 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and two steals over 27 minutes during Monday's 115-105 victory over the Jazz.

Impact Gafford tallied seven combined steals and blocks, capping off another impressive performance. After an up-and-down start to his career in Dallas, Gafford has been a revelation over the past two weeks, putting up first-round value with averages of 14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.5 blocks. It appears he is locked in as the preferred starting center, a welcome sight for anyone lucky enough to have him on their roster.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Highly efficient in win Thursday Gafford had 24 points (10-11 FG, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over 27 minutes during Thursday's 113-97 victory over the Jazz.

Impact Gafford missed just one shot in the contest and finished as Dallas' leading scorer behind Luka Doncic. The big man also unexpectedly contributed as a passer, setting a season high with five assists. Gafford has been a big difference-maker since coming over to the Mavericks in a Feb. 8 trade with Washington, and he's started eight straight contests, logging double-digit points in all but one of those games. He also leads the NBA in field-goal shooting at 71.4 percent on the campaign.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II & Daniel Gafford Thriving Together for Mavs: 'Playing Chess' The Dallas Mavericks’ big-man duo of Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford is thriving alongside superstar Luka Doncic.

MARCH 14 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Swats seven shots Wednesday Gafford posted 10 points (5-5 FG), six rebounds, one assist, seven blocks and two steals across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 109-99 win over Golden State.

Impact Gafford was efficient on both ends of the court, making each of his five field goal attempts, crashing the glass and helping defensively. Undoubtedly, the blocks tally stands out, and he ended just one shy of tying his career-high mark in that department. The efficiency also merits a mention, as he's now gone five straight games without missing a single field goal. He'll have a tough time extending that streak Thursday against Chet Holmgren and the Thunder.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Luka Doncic's triple-double streak ends, Daniel Gafford's made shots streak alive | NBA.com Doncic's triple-double streak ended in part due to a hamstring injury, while Daniel Gafford is up to 33 consecutive made shots.

MARCH 14 • NBA.COM

Mavs' Daniel Gafford Passes Wilt Chamberlain for 2nd on Consecutive Field Goals Made List NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain held the first and second-place records for most consecutive field goals made going into Wednesday night, but no...

MARCH 14 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM