Mavericks’ Injury Crisis Reaches Boiling Point: Latest Setback Sends Team Spiralling
The Dallas Mavericks were in a good spot only a couple of weeks ago in a tight, competitive West where a handful of teams are jockeying for the middle playoff seeds. Unfortunately, both Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving have succumbed to injuries of late. Now, the latest injury the Mavericks must endure is to Daniel Gafford. Dallas is still in a good place regarding the standings, but the teams around them are winning. The question is, how long can the Mavs hold out?
Mavericks Latest Injury Moves Team Further In Wrong Direction
Mavericks Hit With Another Injury As Daniel Gafford Goes Down
There is more bad news in Dallas as key players continue to suffer injuries. Gafford, who turned his left ankle late in Monday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, will reportedly be out for a while, as his head coach, Jason Kidd, stated.
“A sprained ankle, I think it is, so we’ll see how he feels. But he’s probably going to be out for some time,” Kidd said with a sigh. “That’s just part of the game. Unfortunately it’s happening to us — it seems like we’re losing a guy each day. So, next-man-up mentality.”
Losing Gafford is a significant hit for the Mavericks. Dereck Lively II, who has shared starting center duties with Gafford this season, will likely see his role increase, as will Dwight Powell. Being without Luka and Kyrie was detrimental to the Mav’s offense already. Losing Gafford, however, takes away much size and strength in the paint. Lively is a solid center who plays hard and injects energy whenever he’s on the floor. He’s currently averaging 8.8 points this season, but Dallas will need more than that from here on out.
Gafford’s injury comes at a bad time, as the Mavericks are in the middle of a five-game losing streak. They fell to the Grizzlies by double digits on Monday and have to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night at home. It will be the front end of a back-to-back as they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.
