Daniel Gafford was listed day-to-day on the Mavericks' injury report issued Wednesday, with no previous status attached, ahead of Dallas' game against the Pelicans. The listing, tied to rest, leaves his availability for tonight uncertain, with an expected return date of Oct. 16.
What happened
Gafford appeared on the Wednesday, Oct. 14 injury report at 6:39 PM ET as day-to-day, with the reason logged as rest. There was no previous status attached, marking his first appearance on this report. The report's note on Gafford covers his preseason work: seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, including 1-of-1 from three, three rebounds and a steal in eight minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason loss to the Rockets. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 16.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas hosts the Pelicans tonight at 8:00 PM ET on NBA TV, the team's next game with Gafford's status uncertain. Last season he averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.7 minutes across 55 games. Without him on the floor, minutes have gone to Cooper Flagg (33.5 minutes, 21.0 points), Anthony Davis (31.3 minutes, 20.4 points), P.J. Washington (31.0 minutes, 14.2 points) and Marvin Bagley III (21.4 minutes, 11.0 points). The Mavericks are 0-0, since the 2026-27 season has not started, so there is no record to measure with or without him yet.
What to watch
The Mavericks will issue another injury report before tipoff against the Pelicans. The current report lists an expected return date of Oct. 16 for Gafford, two days after tonight's game. Dallas also has Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Marcus Sasser, Dereck Lively II, Morez Johnson Jr. and Santi Aldama listed as day-to-day on the same report, so the final lineup for tonight remains unsettled until game time.
Is Daniel Gafford playing vs Pelicans?
He is listed day-to-day on the injury report issued Wednesday at 6:39 PM ET, with the reason given as rest. The report's expected return date is Oct. 16, two days after tonight's game, so his status for the Pelicans game is not confirmed.
When will Daniel Gafford be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 16.