The Dallas Mavericks are set to receive a major boost to their frontcourt as center Daniel Gafford is expected to make his season debut Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City. The matchup, scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET on Peacock and Telemundo, marks the second international game of the NBA’s 2025 Global Games series.
According to The Athletic’s Christian Clark, Gafford will return to action after missing the Mavericks’ first five games of the season due to a right ankle sprain suffered during training camp. “Daniel Gafford will make his season debut tonight,” Clark reported on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He landed on Anthony Davis’ foot during training camp. Missed first five games of season with the right ankle sprain.”
Gafford’s return arrives at a critical time for Dallas, which will be without All-Star forward Anthony Davis after he sustained a calf strain earlier in the week during the team’s 107-105 win over the Indiana Pacers. Davis exited the game in the first quarter after just seven minutes of play, finishing with four points, four rebounds, and a steal before being ruled out.
Daniel Gafford’s return expected to bolster Mavericks’ frontcourt ahead of matchup vs. Pistons
Through five appearances this season, Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. The Mavericks expect him to miss at least two games — Saturday’s contest against the Pistons and Monday’s matchup with the Houston Rockets.
Gafford, 27, averaged a career-best 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game last season while shooting 70.2 percent from the field across 57 appearances. His energy, rim protection, and pick-and-roll finishing ability were key to Dallas’ frontcourt depth during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
With Davis sidelined, Gafford is expected to start alongside rookie forward Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington, forming one of the league’s tallest and most athletic front lines. Head coach Jason Kidd has emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive intensity and rebounding in Davis’ absence, making Gafford’s return particularly significant.
The Mavericks (2-3) will look to build on Wednesday’s win over Indiana as they face the Pistons (3-2), who are led by All-Star Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. Saturday’s contest will mark Dallas’ first international regular-season game since 2019.
