Daniel Gafford Cleared to Play, but Minutes Are Thin Early for Mavericks
Daniel Gafford is off the injury report after a Day-To-Day rest issue cleared on October 16. The Mavericks center has played three games to open 2026-27, and his minutes have been short so far. Last season he was a 55-game rotation piece averaging 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds for Dallas.
By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · updated 4 d ago01The story of the nightHealth ReportGafford is not on the injury report right now.
Gafford is not on the injury report right now. He was tagged Day-To-Day on October 14 for rest, listed under the 'Other' category, and he was cleared on October 16. That means the absence was not a structural issue, just a maintenance day. He has been available for Dallas in each of the team's recent games listed, suggesting the Mavericks are managing his workload carefully in the first stretch of the season rather than dealing with anything lingering. For a 28-year-old big man in his seventh season, that kind of planned rest is normal business, not a red flag.
02A Light Workload to Start the SeasonDallas has played Gafford in three games so far: October 9 against Houston (a loss, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 8.4…
Dallas has played Gafford in three games so far: October 9 against Houston (a loss, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 8.4 minutes), October 11 against Houston again (a win, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 14.6 minutes), and October 16 against Atlanta (a loss, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 16.6 minutes). His minutes have crept up slightly game to game, from 8.4 to 14.6 to 16.6, but he has not cracked double-digit scoring yet. His plus-minus in those three games was negative each time: -3.0, -12.0 and -5.0.
03Last Season by the NumbersIn 2025-26, Gafford appeared in 55 games for Dallas and averaged 21.7 minutes, 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1…
In 2025-26, Gafford appeared in 55 games for Dallas and averaged 21.7 minutes, 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He shot 65.5 percent from the field, did not attempt a three-pointer that counted (0.0 percent), and shot 68.3 percent from the free-throw line. His true shooting mark was 67.7 percent on a 15.1 usage rate, and his plus-minus for the season was -3.4. Those numbers describe a traditional rim-running center: efficient inside the arc, limited range, and a role built around rebounding and rim protection rather than shot creation.
04Last Season's Late-Season StretchGafford's production swung widely down the stretch of 2025-26.
Gafford's production swung widely down the stretch of 2025-26. On March 18 against Atlanta he scored 24 points with 8 rebounds in 22.4 minutes. On March 23 against Golden State he had 20 points and 7 rebounds in 31.5 minutes, and on March 30 against Minnesota he posted 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists in 24.4 minutes, though the team lost that game with a -23.0 plus-minus. He also had a 13-rebound game against the Clippers on March 21 with just 7 points. By April 3 and 5, against Orlando and the Lakers, his scoring settled back to 7 points in each game.
05The ProfileGafford wears No.
Gafford wears No. 21 for Dallas and is listed at forward-center, standing 6-foot-10 and 265 pounds. He is 28 years old and enters his seventh NBA season after playing college basketball at Arkansas. He finished last season with Dallas as well, so there is no team change to account for this year. His size and interior scoring efficiency have made him a rotation center for the Mavericks, and his profile this season starts the same way it ended last season: a low-usage, high-efficiency big man whose minutes depend on matchup and health management.
Gafford9.5 ppg
Okoro9.3 ppg
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