The Dallas Mavericks are facing another tough situation with injuries. Big man Daniel Gafford went down during Monday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings. His knee buckled as he tried to set a screen, and he fell hard on the court, instantly reaching for his knee.
Gafford had to be helped off the court, unable to put weight on his leg. The team quickly ruled him out with a knee sprain before halftime.
This latest injury adds to the Mavericks’ challenges. They are already missing three other key players: Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell, all sidelined with their own injuries. Davis sustained an adductor injury in his very first game with the team after a big trade for Luka Dončić. He is expected to be out for several weeks. Lively is dealing with an ankle issue, while Powell has a hip injury.
Gafford, now in his second season with the Mavericks, was averaging 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He’s under a three-year, $40 million contract he originally signed with the Washington Wizards.
The Mavericks entered the game with hopes of extending a two-game win streak, but fans are frustrated—many expressed their anger towards general manager Nico Harrison following the trade of Dončić. It’s been reported that some even protested outside the arena, which shows just how upset the fanbase is right now.
As for the game itself, the Mavericks blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. DeMar DeRozan of the Kings hit a crucial shot to send the game into overtime, where Sacramento ultimately prevailed with a narrow 129-128 victory. DeRozan had an impressive 42 points to lead the Kings, while Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 30 points, along with nine rebounds and seven assists. The loss lowered Dallas’s record to 28-26 for the season.
Now, Gafford will be re-evaluated in two weeks, and fans are hoping for a quick recovery. The Mavericks need all the help they can get as they navigate through this injury crisis.
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