Sad News report: Daniel Gafford a Dallas center player got an injury facing which may end his career…………
Gafford has averaged 9.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game during the playoffs, combining with Dereck Lively II to give the Mavs a bouncy 1-2 punch at center. Lively and Gafford are playing the exact same number of minutes per game (21.8), providing Dallas with a near-constant presence of similarly skilled athleticism in the middle.Gafford immediately gave Dallas an additional lob threat for non-Dereck Lively II minutes, and Gafford’s physicality at both ends of the floor was crucial for the Mavericks in the closing stretch of the regular season. In 21.5 minutes per game, Gafford averaged 11.2 points and 6.9 rebounds, to go with 1.9 blocks.
Gafford’s contributions in that stretch were big for Dallas, and the Mavericks benefited greatly from him playing with force. His screening, hard rolling, rim protection and continual energy from that closing stretch of the season has carried over into the playoffs as well, and he’s fit seamlessly as a lob threat and diver playing off of Dončić and Irving.