The Dallas Mavericks ruled out Daniel Gafford for Wednesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena with a right shoulder sprain, while Brandon Williams was cleared to return after missing three games in the concussion protocol.
Gafford went through morning shootaround and was listed as questionable on the injury report, but the team ruled him out closer to tip-off. He exited Monday’s 137–131 overtime loss to Golden State in the fourth quarter after posting 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists on 8‑of‑8 shooting. With Gafford sidelined, Dwight Powell was moved into the starting lineup alongside Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, and P.J. Washington.
“Assertiveness—using his body, being a force around the rim, rebounding,” Christie said of Gafford’s performance against Golden State. “He played great. Eight-for-eight, getting to the free-throw line, seven rebounds, five assists, a steal—he played a phenomenal game. That’s what he’s capable of every night, and we’re going to continue to push him and hold him accountable.”
Marvin Bagley III said before the game that slowing Nikola Jokić will take everyone.
“Be physical with Jokić, and they’ve got Valančiūnas and Brown coming off the bench,” Bagley told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Just communication, being able to get back on defense. He’s a great player individually, but it seems like it requires a full effort from everyone — all five players.”
Bagley added that Denver’s supporting cast poses its own problems.
“They’ve got some great shooters around him, active guys who cut and make plays for each other,” Bagley explained to Dallas Hoops Journal. “Just communicating with each other as best we can, sticking to our game plan and going out there and competing.”
When identifying challenges the Nuggets pose in the supporting cast, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd pointed to Tim Hardaway Jr.’s recent shooting as another concern.
“He’s playing well, he’s shooting the ball extremely well,” Kidd said. “Not the last game but the game before he was seven for ten. Tim is one that can make shots, and you can see that the Nuggets are not only getting healthy, but they’re playing their best basketball at the right time.”
Before Williams returned to game action, Bagley said the locker room had missed having him on the floor.
“It’s great to have him back,” Bagley said to Dallas Hoops Journal. “Just the way he plays, getting out and running — it’s good to have him back, happy that he’s healthy.”
Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), and Caleb Martin (right plantar fascia strain) remain out. Dallas has two-way contract players John Poulakidas and Tyler Smith available, but ruled out Moussa Cissé, as he has only four games of eligibility remaining.
Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. CT at Ball Arena.
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