Despite an ankle injury, Daniel Gafford powers through, providing essential frontcourt stability for a shorthanded Mavericks squad facing a demanding schedule.
DALLAS — Daniel Gafford’s presence has become increasingly vital for a Mavericks team worn down by injuries, and his expected return Wednesday arrives at a moment when Dallas can scarcely afford another absence in the frontcourt.
Gafford, listed as probable with right ankle injury management, fully participated in Wednesday’s shootaround after missing Monday’s loss in Minnesota. The setback kept him off the floor just one day after one of his best outings of the season. In Dallas’ overtime win in Portland, Gafford scored 20 points with six rebounds and three blocks, continuing a strong early stretch in which he has averaged 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks through nine games.
Following shootaround, Gafford said the focus remains on staying available and staying disciplined with treatment as the Mavericks navigate an unpredictable injury cycle.
Before turning to the matchup ahead, he offered a straightforward assessment of how he feels physically.
“I’m doing good. I’m doing good. I can’t complain,” he said.
Gafford said managing the ankle requires constant upkeep, especially given Dallas’ reliance on him as one of the few healthy frontcourt anchors.
“Really just staying on top of it, holding myself accountable to make myself as healthy as possible to be out there on the floor,” he said. “That’s the main thing. Nothing too crazy, honestly — just a lot of treatment, a lot of rehab, a lot of work.”
He added that he does not expect the issue to linger long-term.
“I doubt the rest of the season,” he said. “It’s going to be around a good amount throughout this first part of the season, but I feel like it’s going to get better through and through… sooner or later the tide is going to end when it comes to this ankle for sure.”
Dallas felt Gafford’s absence immediately in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves controlled the paint and the glass as the Mavericks started rookie Moussa Cissé in a depleted rotation. With Anthony Davis still sidelined and Dereck Lively II returning from a knee injury, the Mavericks’ interior depth remains fragile.
Gafford’s two-way production — from rim protection to lob finishing — has been one of the Mavericks’ most consistent elements through an uneven start. His return Wednesday provides Dallas with a much-needed physical presence as the team opens a demanding stretch of three home games in four days.
As the Mavericks wait for their frontcourt to heal, they will continue leaning heavily on Gafford to carry a significant share of the workload. And if his recent play — and his determination to work through discomfort — are any indication, he appears ready to shoulder it.