Mavericks’ Big Men Trending Toward Return as Playoff Push Intensifies
The Dallas Mavericks are getting some much-needed good news on the injury front as their key big men, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, are progressing in their recoveries. While neither player is expected to suit up for Saturday’s game in Chicago, both have been upgraded from “out” to “doubtful,” signaling that their returns are right around the corner. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, both Lively and Gafford are “on course” to be reactivated next week.
Lively, who took over as the Mavericks’ starting center back in November, has been sidelined since January 14 due to a stress fracture in his right ankle. Initially, it was reported that Lively could miss between two and three months, meaning his return next week would fall within that timeline. Meanwhile, Gafford, who has shared starting duties with Lively, suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain in his right knee on February 13. Gafford was expected to miss six weeks, and with six weeks and two days having passed since the injury, his return also appears imminent.
Both injuries came during a challenging stretch for the Mavericks, as the team struggled with a number of key players missing time. Along with Lively and Gafford, Dallas also had to cope with the absence of Anthony Davis for 18 games due to an adductor strain. With the team’s top three big men unavailable for well over a month, it has been a difficult period for the Mavs. However, with Davis returning to action on Monday and Lively and Gafford not far behind, the Mavericks are starting to see a glimmer of hope as they push for a play-in spot.
Despite losing Kyrie Irving to a season-ending ACL tear, the Mavericks still have the potential to be a formidable force in the play-in tournament if they can regain a fully healthy frontcourt. Entering Saturday’s game, Dallas is sitting in the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference with a 36-38 record, just half a game behind the No. 9 Sacramento Kings and one game ahead of the No. 11 Phoenix Suns.
After their visit to Chicago on Saturday, the Mavericks will return home to host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday and the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday before heading to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Friday and Saturday. With their key big men on the mend, the Mavericks are hoping to make a strong push to secure a spot in the postseason, despite the setbacks they’ve faced throughout the season.