Daniel Gafford has been ruled out for Friday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Dallas Mavericks announced on the official injury report. Gafford had been listed as questionable heading into Wednesday’s 142–135 loss to the Denver Nuggets before ultimately being held out, and the Mavericks moved him to the out designation for the matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Gafford has averaged 9.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 51 games this season, and he has been one of Dallas’ most productive players since the All‑Star break, averaging 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over his last 13 games. He was brilliant before the injury ended his night Monday, finishing with 20 points on 8‑of‑8 shooting, seven rebounds, and five assists. He will miss a second straight game with a right shoulder sprain suffered in Monday’s 137-131 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Marvin Bagley III and Dwight Powell, who started Wednesday in Denver and finished with seven points and four rebounds in 16 minutes, could see more minutes without Gafford in the lineup. However, the Mavericks have also increasingly leaned on P.J. Washington as a small‑ball center to play faster and maximize spacing and defensive versatility. This has been a look that Dallas has deployed as a starting group a few times recently when Gafford missed time. If the Mavs want to match Portland’s size against Donovan Clingan, the team can pivot to a bigger alignment with Bagley or Powell taking on those minutes.
Cooper Flagg, who walked away from Wednesday’s game with his right hand heavily wrapped and iced after an awkward fourth‑quarter landing, was not listed on the injury report. Flagg finished the game and downplayed the injury postgame, downplaying any concern.
“Doing okay,” Flagg said. “It’s tough — a lot of minutes, back‑to‑back overtime games, physical games. Just got to take care of my body and get ready for the next one.”
Brandon Williams, who returned from three games in the concussion protocol on Wednesday and finished with 11 points and six assists in 19 minutes, is also available. P.J. Washington spoke to what Williams brought back to the lineup.
“His pace,” Washington said. “We missed his pace, his quickness, his ability to get downhill, find others, and score. I think he was himself tonight. He’s just happy to be back, and we’re happy for him too.”
Moussa Cissé and John Poulakidas were both listed as doubtful with their G League two‑way designations. Tyler Smith is probable under his G League two‑way designation. Smith scored eight points on 3‑of‑5 shooting in under eight minutes against Denver on Wednesday.
Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), and Caleb Martin (right plantar fascia strain) remain out. Martin has averaged 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 58 games this season. Like Gafford, he had been listed as questionable earlier in the week before being ruled out entirely for Friday’s game.
Tip‑off against the Portland Trail Blazers is set for 9 p.m. CT at Moda Center on Friday.
More Dallas Mavericks Coverage Ahead of Friday’s Game in Portland
- Brandon Williams’ Return Gives Dallas Mavericks A Needed Boost In Loss To Denver Nuggets
- ‘Get Ready For The Next One’: Cooper Flagg Addresses Right Hand Injury After Dallas Mavericks’ Loss To Denver Nuggets
- New NBA Mock Draft Links Dallas Mavericks To Guard Compared To Jamal Murray
- ‘I Like Making The Right Play’: Cooper Flagg Shows Decision‑Making Beyond His Years As NBA’s Youngest Player
- Dallas Mavericks Hope To Hire Permanent General Manager Before NBA Draft, Rick Welts Says
- ‘I Like Where Things Are Headed’: Khris Middleton Open To Future With Dallas Mavericks
