The Dallas Mavericks starting center conundrum was solved on the first day of training camp, when Daniel Gafford suffered an ankle injury that has kept him out of action throughout the preseason. Gafford is
no stranger to recent leg injuries, having suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain back in February which kept him out for 21 straight games. He returned to action for the month of April, giving Mavs’ fans some hope that the team was turning the corner on one of the most injury-plagued phases in franchise history. Having not made it through a single day of camp to open the new campaign was an all too familiar story.
Thankfully, the injury wasn’t anticipated to be serious, with a two to three week timeline to return. That would line Gafford up to return for the season opener, with DLLS Mavs and others now reporting that Gafford looks to be on track for just that.
Gafford is now participating in non-contact work, with head coach Jason Kidd indicating that Gafford’s return to action this coming Wednesday night remains a possibility. Starting the season with the team near full strength (Dante Exum remains mysteriously unavailable) is critical, if for no other reason than to shake the stink of last season off. More importantly, having the two-headed center monster available against Victor Wembanyama and the division rival San Antonio Spurs is an ideal way to set the tone. Granted Gafford will need some time to get into game shape, it will still be nice to have a center tandem who combined for 21 points and 14 rebounds per game last year. Lively has matched up well against the Spurs’ superstar in past engagements, but having a large athletic body to bang with the Spurs’ bigs while Lively rests will be a boon.
Best of all, it will remove any excuses from the equation. After the tumult of last year, it’s important for the Mavs to come out well armed, healthy and ready to define themselves for a new season.
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