Dallas Basketball

Dallas Mavericks Starter Suffers Injury, Exits Game 2 Against Clippers

Key member of the Mavericks' frontcourt is questionable to return

Austin Veazey

Apr 10, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) returns to the bench
Apr 10, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) returns to the bench / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Dallas Mavericks starting center Daniel Gafford left Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers with about 8 minutes remaining in the second quarter with an apparent lower back injury per the TNT broadcast. Gafford was grabbing at his back after he contested a shot at the rim and was slow to get up the floor before heading to the locker room at the next dead ball. The Mavericks PR has said Gafford is questionable to return with a lower back injury.

Dallas acquired Gafford from the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline in exchange for Richaun Holmes and a 2024 first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gafford was a big component in the Mavs’ dominating defense down the stretch, leading the NBA in defensive efficiency over the final 15 games of the season. While playing for Dallas, Gafford has averaged 11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 1.9 BPG while shooting 78% from the floor in his 29 games with the Mavs. 

Gafford has paired with rookie Dereck Lively II to give Dallas two quality rim-running and rim-protecting bigs. Lively had just returned from a knee injury, with this Game 1 against the Clippers being his first game since March 31st against the Rockets. 

UPDATE: Gafford exited the locker room in the second quarter and re-entered the game with 7:54 remaining in the half.

READ MORE: Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks Look to Rebound in Game 2 After Tough Loss to Clippers

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Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Austin Veazey joined NoleGameday as the Lead Basketball Writer in 2019, while contributing as a football writer, and started as editor for MavericksGameday in 2024. Veazey was a Florida State Men’s Basketball Manager from 2016-2019. Follow Austin on Twitter at @EasyVeazeyNG