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
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