The Dallas Mavericks suffered a tough 127-128 loss to the Sacramento Kings, but the defeat wasn’t their only setback. Center Daniel Gafford was forced to leave the game early after suffering a right knee injury in the second quarter.
Gafford sustained the injury while setting a screen when he collided with Kings guard Malik Monk. The impact caused his knee to hyperextend, and he immediately went down, clutching his leg in visible pain.
Mavs center Daniel Gafford had to be helped off the court after a collision while he set a screen. He was clutching his right knee.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 11, 2025
Mavs’ other top three bigs — Anthony Davis (adductor), Dereck Lively II (ankle) and Dwight Powell (hip) — are all out.
The Mavericks’ medical staff quickly assessed the situation and helped him off the court. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly after being taken to the locker room. Before exiting, Gafford logged 10 minutes of play, contributing four points on perfect 2-of-2 shooting, along with three rebounds and two assists.
Grafford’s absence left a significant void for the Mavericks, as he has been a key presence in the paint this season. The big man has been one of the league’s top rim protectors, averaging 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
What’s Next For The Dallas Mavericks After Daniel Gafford’s Injury?
The Mavericks were already dealing with injuries to their other top big men before Daniel Gafford went down. Anthony Davis (adductor), Dereck Lively II (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) were all sidelined. It left the team with only one fully healthy center, A.J. Lawson.
In response to Gafford’s injury, Olivier-Maxence Prosper started the second-half against Sacramento. It signals that the Mavericks may have to rely on smaller lineups to compensate for their lack of size. However, this comes with significant challenges, especially in games against teams with dominant frontcourt players.
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The Mavericks will now have to explore all available options to stabilize their frontcourt. Internal adjustments, such as giving more minutes to Prosper or experimenting with forwards playing at the five, could be short-term solutions. Additionally, Dallas may need to consider free-agent signings or potential trade market options to bring in reinforcements if their injured centers remain out for an extended period.
