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Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford reveals approach amid Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II injury absences
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- Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford reveals approach amid Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II injury absences
The post Mavericks' Daniel Gafford reveals approach amid Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II injury absences appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Amidst significant injuries to the Dallas Mavericks ' frontcourt, including All-Star Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II , Daniel Gafford is ready to hold down the fort. While Davis' return could happen soon for the Mavericks , he's ruled out for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies , joining Lively II on the team's injury report.
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Gafford is ready to step up for the Mavericks, he said, per Dallas Morning News' Brad Townsend.
"Holding the fort down for all the bigs right now until everybody gets back," Gafford said. "It's kind of like deja vu. We were in the same situation last year. I told them 'Ya'll take ya'll time. Ya'll get your bodies right. Make sure ya'll get back healthy to where ya'll feel like ya'll are 100 percent, and I'll hold it down as much as I can for ya'll until ya'll get back, which is pretty much the conversation I had with [Lively II].
"I haven't had a chance to tell AD yet, but I'm sure he understands where we are right now with just bodies being out. I think he has an understanding that I'm the main guy out there for sure. Then, when he comes back, I'm just going to still assert my role, assert my dominance out there," Gafford concluded.
Daniel Gafford and the Mavericks will look to bounce back from their 101-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans , who they are now tied with at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with 2-6 records. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
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The Mavericks have the NBA's worst offensive rating
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Eight games into the 2025-26 campaign, the Mavericks have the lowest offensive rating (103.5) in the NBA, trailing the Wizards ' 106.4 by 2.9 points. They have the fourth-best (110.8) defensive rating in the association. However, without Davis and Kyrie Irving , who's slated to return from a torn ACL in 2026, the team has struggled to find its new offensive identity. And having Anthony Davis on the mend isn't ideal amid the Mavericks' struggles.
Cooper Flagg , the association's No. 1 pick, is a rookie still trying to find his footing on both ends of the floor, but has provided an offensive spark in the lineup, averaging 14.4 points per game. After Friday's matchup against the Grizzlies, the Mavericks will face the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back on the road.
Related: Mavericks' Anthony Davis ruled out vs. Grizzlies with calf strain
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