Daniel Gafford reveals approach amid injury absences for Anthony Davis, Derek Lively II

In the midst of significant injuries to Dallas Mavericks‘ frontcourt, including an All-Star Anthony Davis and Derek Lively II, Daniel Gafford is ready to hold the fort. Doc Davis’ return could happen soon for the Maverickshe has been ruled out for Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Memphis Grizzlies, joining Lively II on the team’s injury report.

It’s Gafford ready to step forward for the Mavericks, he said, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.

“Holding down the fort for all the big ones right now until they all come back,” Gafford said. “It’s like deja vu. We were in the same situation last year. I told them, ‘You’re going to need time. You’re going to fix your bodies. Make sure you get back healthy to where you feel like you’re going to be 100 percent, and I’m going to hold that down as much as I can for you until you get back to talking (which is pretty good).’

“I haven’t had a chance to tell AD yet, but I’m sure he understands where we’re at right now with just dead bodies out there. I think he understands that I’m definitely the main guy there. Then, when he comes back, I’m still going to assert my role, assert my dominance there,” Gafford concluded.

Daniel Gafford on “holding down the fort” for Mavs big players. pic.twitter.com/vGIffz6Tov

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) November 7, 2025

Daniel Gafford and the Mavericks will look to bounce back from a 101-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, with whom they are now tied at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 2-6 record. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

The Mavericks have the worst offensive rating in the NBA

Eight games in the 2025-26 campaign, Mavericks have lowest offensive rating (103.5) in the NBA, trailing the Wizards at 106.4 by 2.9 points. They have the fourth-best (110.8) defensive rating in the league. However, without Davis and Kyrie Irving, who is scheduled to return from a torn ACL in 2026, the team has struggled to find its new offensive identity. And getting Anthony Davis healthy isn’t ideal amid the Mavericks’ struggles.

Cooper Flagg, the association’s first overall pick, is a rookie still trying to establish himself on both ends of the floor, but he has provided an offensive spark in the lineup, averaging 14.4 points per game. After Friday’s matchup against the Grizzlies, the Mavericks will face the Wizards for the second night of back-to-back games on the road.