Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford enjoyed a big game on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Excellent two-way play

The Dallas Mavericks have an important three-game stretch against winnable teams coming up, which started with Monday's home contest against the lowly Washington Wizards. Nine players were missing combined between both teams, including Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Naji Marshall, and Malcolm Brogdon.

Gafford is under contract for one season beyond 2024/25, with a $14.4MM guaranteed salary for ’25/26. He’s currently back in the Mavs’ starting lineup while Lively recovers a right ankle sprain, which will sideline him again on Friday vs. Oklahoma City.

It was a short-handed Southwestern Division matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, as Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones were among the key players out on both sides.

The Pelicans won 119-116. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi tries to block Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald ...

The early tip-off led to a back-and-forth tilt between the two teams, but Dallas couldn’t overcome its shortcoming of depth and left with a 110-105

Klay Thompson scored 21 of his 23 points in the first quarter, matching a Dallas record by hitting seven 3-pointers in the period, and the Mavericks breezed past the NBA-worst Washington Wizards 130-108.

Gafford returns to the floor for the Mavericks after suffering an apparent neck injury in the first half, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports. With the Mavericks dealing with several key players being in and out of the lineup this season,

With Dereck Lively II expected to miss the next 2-3 months, Gafford is ready to handle a bigger role in Dallas.

Dallas’ next man up mantra is being tested at a mind-boggling rate after Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber suffered injuries in an 11-day

The New York Knicks are looking to bring home ... on the team and Mitchell Robinson yet to play a game. Center Daniel Gafford can come in and provide immediate relief, as the Dallas Mavericks ...