‘It’s A Balanced Scale’: Dallas Mavericks Center Daniel Gafford Gets Honest About Lingering Ankle Injury

Grant AfsethDecember 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Photo by Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

Daniel Gafford has learned the hard way that simply being available is not the same as being ready.

The Dallas Mavericks center is set to return Monday night against the Utah Jazz, but only after the most deliberate pause of his season. Gafford is available following a three-game absence due to a right ankle sprain, returning on a 17–20 minute restriction after what he described as both a physical and mental grind.

His most recent setback came Dec. 3 against the Miami Heat, when he collapsed to the floor late after aggravating the same ankle injury for the third time this season — an issue that has followed him since the opening day of training camp.

This time, the Mavericks chose patience.

Gafford received 12 days of rest and rehabilitation, the longest uninterrupted recovery window he has had all season and a clear departure from earlier attempts to return quickly.

“Give or take. We’ll see,” Gafford said at shootaround when asked about his availability, a response that reflected caution rather than uncertainty.

Daniel Gafford on Learning From the Setbacks

Each of Gafford’s previous returns came with optimism, only to be followed by another flare-up. The pattern forced a reset — not just in approach, but in mindset.

“It’s a bit of a balanced scale,” Gafford said. “I want to be out there on the floor as much as I can. But at the same time, you have to listen to your body, especially through the course of a season.”

That balance became central to Dallas’ decision-making. Rather than rushing Gafford back into full minutes, the Mavericks opted for incremental progress, prioritizing long-term availability over short-term necessity.

“I just want to come back and be able to do the things I’m able to do out there on the floor and make an impact,” Gafford said. “I don’t want to be out there being a liability and hurting the team more than helping them.”

The Mental Toll of Repeated Injuries

The ankle has tested more than Gafford’s physical limits. Repeated setbacks forced him to confront the frustration of stopping and starting, of building momentum only to lose it again.

“It’s just been like an up and down beginning of the season for me, but I’m managing,” Gafford said. “I’m trying to fight through a lot of frustration, tryna fight through a lot of mental stuff, too, when it comes to the ankle.”

Wrapped around his lower leg at shootaround was a black ankle brace, which Gafford said he has worn during practices and walkthroughs for added stability. Whether it becomes part of his game routine remains undecided.

“It’s 50-50,” he said.

Why This Return Matters Now

Gafford’s return comes at a critical time for the Mavericks’ frontcourt. Dereck Lively II will miss the remainder of the season and is expected to undergo right foot surgery, thinning Dallas’ interior depth significantly.

That context heightens the importance of Gafford’s availability, even in limited minutes. In 15 games this season, he has averaged 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, providing rim protection and vertical spacing that has been difficult to replicate consistently.

Gafford said conversations with Lively have helped him maintain perspective.

“We kind of joke around with it. We can’t catch a break,” Gafford said. “‘Ima hold it down for [Lively]. [He’ll] hold it down for me.’”

Progress, Not a Finish Line

Despite the restrictions, Gafford expressed optimism about how his body has responded over the past two weeks. He traveled with the team for the one-game Utah trip, another sign that his return is being built carefully rather than rushed.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Gafford said. “Still taking as much time as I possibly can with it. It’s the best that it’s felt in a good amount of time.”

For the Mavericks, Gafford’s return represents progress — not resolution. Minutes will be monitored. Expectations will be tempered. The focus remains on sustainability.

After months of false starts, the goal is no longer just getting back on the floor.

It’s staying there.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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‘It’s A Balanced Scale’: Dallas Mavericks Center Daniel Gafford Gets Honest About Lingering Ankle Injury