Mavericks' Daniel Gafford Gets Positive Injury Update Before Trail Blazers Matchup

The Dallas Mavericks could receive a significant boost to their frontcourt depth as Daniel Gafford was upgraded to questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Gafford missed Tuesday’s 118-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers with a left ankle sprain sustained during Monday’s 119-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. When discussing Gafford’s injury on Tuesday in a pre-game press conference, Jason Kidd described it as hopefully being “day-to-day.”

The Mavericks have relied on Maxi Kleber as a small-ball center in Gafford’s absence. Kleber played 29 minutes against the Lakers, contributing five points, three rebounds, and five assists. His defensive versatility was critical in slowing down Anthony Davis, allowing Dallas to double-team inside while maintaining floor spacing.

“I think Maxi is not gonna be talked about, but I thought he did an incredible job of boxing out, being able to be physical,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of Kleber. “A.D.’s not easy. He’s one of the best players in the league, and I thought he made it tough on him tonight. And then also his ability to play-make. We won’t always call Maxi a playmaker, but his ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays for guys to get open threes was big for us tonight.”

Kleber pointed to the team’s shot-making and overall execution as the driving forces behind the win, highlighting how different players stepped up throughout the game.

“We had guys step up and make shots,” Kleber said. “Jaden got hot, Klay got hot, and Q finished strong. We stuck to the game plan and made sure the ball found the right spots.”

Kleber elaborated on his role as a small-ball center, stepping in to cover for Gafford and taking on increased responsibilities in both offensive and defensive sets. He emphasized the challenges and opportunities of playing the five, particularly in a lineup featuring multiple ball handlers and shooters.

“I focus on making the right reads, whether I’m playing the four or the five,” Kleber said. “When I’m at the five, I’m more involved in pick-and-rolls and handoffs, which lets me have a bigger influence on the offense. But really, it’s about the playmakers – Jaden, Spencer, Q, Naji, and PJ – they’re the ones making things happen. My job is to set screens and create space for them.”

With key players out, Kleber praised the team’s adaptability, noting its reliance on new combinations and play styles. He emphasized staying sharp through limited practice and video sessions and credited quick adjustments with keeping the team competitive.

“We’ve had to adjust a lot lately,” Kleber said. “With Kai, Luka, Gaff, and Exum out, everyone’s role shifts. It’s hard because there’s not much practice time, so we’re learning on the fly. It’s about staying mentally sharp, watching film, and making sure we communicate well. This win was big for us, and I think we did a great job executing and attacking the matchups we wanted. The guys stepped up, and that was huge.”

The Mavericks showcased their depth against the Lakers. Quentin Grimes led the team with 26 points, including six 3-pointers, nine rebounds, and six assists. P.J. Washington added 22 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 19 points and eight assists, often initiating the offense.

“We stayed aggressive and played together,” Grimes said. “We attacked the paint and kept the ball moving, which led to good things.”

Kleber also emphasized Dinwiddie’s role in guiding the team through a shorthanded stretch, highlighting his ability to take command of the offense and make timely plays under pressure. With Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving out, Dinwiddie took on the responsibility of initiating the offense, balancing his scoring with distributing the ball to ensure the team maintained its rhythm. His knack for recognizing mismatches and exploiting defensive lapses allowed Dallas to stay composed during key stretches.

“Spencer was crucial for us. He made smart plays – attacked mismatches, got to the rim, and created open looks,” Kleber said. “That’s exactly what we need with the lineup we have right now. His ability to control the game, along with Q and Jaden stepping up, made a huge difference.”

The Mavericks will look to carry their momentum into Thursday’s matchup against Portland as they manage key player injuries. If Gafford is cleared to return, his presence could provide much-needed size and rebounding to complement Kleber’s efforts in the frontcourt.