‘Playing To Win’: Dusty May Details Daniel Gafford’s Career-High Playmaking For Dallas Mavericks
DALLAS — Daniel Gafford is averaging a career-high 2.5 assists through six starts for the Dallas Mavericks, and Mavericks coach Dusty May said before Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings that the center is playing as well as he has seen him play.
Gafford’s previous best was 1.6 assists per game in 2023-24, the season Dallas acquired him from the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline. He averaged 1.1 assists across his first seven seasons.
When Gafford grabs an offensive rebound and does not go right back up, May said, he has been kicking the ball out for threes. He is averaging 3.0 offensive rebounds per game.
“He’s made good decisions. I love the fact, too, that when he gets offensive rebounds, he either goes back up quickly or he fans it out for threes,” May said. “He’s playing to win, and he’s a great teammate. He really cares about the guys he’s playing with.”
“And we’re very pleased with the progress he’s making game by game. The staff’s done a great job helping him, and he’s been very receptive to the new things we have him doing,” May continued. “And he’s playing as well as I’ve seen him play.”
Through six games, Gafford is averaging 8.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 23.3 minutes while shooting 70.0% from the field. He has blocked two shots in every game. His five assists in the Oct. 23 win at Indiana tied his career high.
Daniel Gafford’s First Career Three-Pointer
Gafford made the first three-pointer of his NBA career in Wednesday’s 120-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had attempted one three in his first seven seasons, a miss in 2021-22 with Washington. He finished that night with 7 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.
A couple of highlights have gone against Gafford this season, and May said he has kept contesting at the rim anyway.
“Passing, screening, playing more on the perimeter. Obviously, you saw him shoot the three-point shot. It’s the first one of his career. So, those are things that jump out,” May explained. “But his impact has been just dominating the paint. He’s been a force.”
“A lot of guys, they’re afraid to get dunked on. He’s had a couple highlights go against him. But he’s also had several that he’s protected the rim. And I always admire those guys that aren’t afraid of that,” May continued. “Because the guys that get out of there are the guys that are the ones that don’t have the blocks and the rim impact. So, he’s not afraid to put his body in there for his team and make some stuff happen at the rim.”
Gafford’s 18 Points Against Houston
Gafford had his highest-scoring game of the season in Friday’s 116-111 win over the Houston Rockets, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. He scored 8 of those points in the fourth quarter on 3-of-3 shooting and 2-of-2 at the free-throw line. Dallas outscored Houston 40-27 in that period.
Chicago drafted Gafford 38th overall out of Arkansas in 2019. He is a career 70.2% shooter across 439 regular-season games.
Gafford and Kings guard Zach LaVine were Bulls teammates from 2019 to 2021. He and Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. both played at Arkansas.
Tip-off against Sacramento is set for 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks play at the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
