DHJ Quick Take: Daniel Gafford Provides Update on Ankle Recovery
Daniel Gafford said his recovery from the right ankle injury that limited him throughout the 2025-26 season is progressing well, and he is focused on a full clearance before returning to the court.
- How is Daniel Gafford progressing? He said the rehab is going well and that he is staying consistent while taking the process one step at a time.
- What is Daniel Gafford’s main goal? Moving on and off the court freely, supported by strength work, conditioning, and continued rehab.
- Why does it matter? Gafford never fully recovered from the ankle injury last season and is on a new three-year extension that begins in 2026-27.
- What’s next? A full return to basketball activities once he is cleared, with no firm timeline set as the offseason continues.
DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford said his recovery from the right ankle injury that disrupted his 2025-26 season is progressing steadily, and he is prioritizing patience over a quick return to the floor.
“I’m getting there. The rehab is good, I’m staying consistent,” Gafford said. “I want to take it one step at a time, I don’t want to rush anything.”
Gafford first suffered the ankle injury on the opening day of training camp and aggravated it repeatedly over the course of the season, a cycle that left him with only short stretches of availability before each setback sent him back to rehab. He has carried the recovery into the offseason rather than risk another flare-up, and he said he intends to be fully cleared before resuming basketball activities.
“Whenever I get back on the court, do all the workouts and stuff like that, I’m gonna be 100 percent healthy before I even get back on the floor,” Gafford said. “So that’s the main focus for me.”
Daniel Gafford Focused on Strength Work and Conditioning
Gafford said his immediate goal is regaining the ability to move on and off the court without limitation, with his current program centered on conditioning, strength work, and rehabilitation.
“Getting on and off of the court is the main thing, it’s the main goal I have set right now to do soon, but right now it’s mainly just doing a lot of strength work, conditioning, a lot of rehab,” Gafford said. “I’m trying to train the mental, trying to train the body, all of the above, so I can be able to be ready when I transition back to on the court.”
Gafford signed a three-year, $54 million extension last summer that takes effect for the 2026-27 season and keeps him under contract through 2028-29. The ankle injury cut into his production in 2025-26, when he averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 65.5% from the field across 55 games, down from the 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks he posted across 57 games the prior season.
His recovery comes as the Mavericks reshape their roster and frontcourt, where he remains part of a deep group of bigs alongside Dereck Lively II. His availability for the coming season will factor into a Dallas team that parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd and is conducting a coaching search this offseason.
More Mavericks Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘Finn Is Our Legacy Guy’: Mark Cuban Urged Masai Ujiri To Keep Michael Finley With The Dallas Mavericks
- Why The Dallas Mavericks Should Consider Brayden Burries At No. 9
- Dallas Mavericks 2026 NBA Draft: The Case For Trading Down With The Oklahoma City Thunder
- Dallas Mavericks Enter Option Agreements For Former Valley View Mall Site For New Arena
- Dallas Mavericks Star Kyrie Irving Says He’s ‘Close To Being Over At 100%’ In ACL Recovery
- Mike Schmitz Says Dallas Mavericks Are ‘Looking At Everything’ For Next Head Coach
- Mike Schmitz Sees Kyrie Irving ‘Completely Locked In’ Around Dallas Mavericks Facility
- Why Masai Ujiri Parted With Matt Riccardi But Kept The Door Open For Michael Finley
- Why Masai Ujiri Moved On From Jason Kidd To Build Around Cooper Flagg
- Dallas Mavericks ‘Mutually Agree’ To Part Ways With Jason Kidd, Begin Search For Head Coach
- Why Keeping Kyrie Irving Is The Smartest Move For Cooper Flagg’s Early Timeline
