Daniel

Gafford

Dallas rested most of its key rotation players, with Gafford being one of the exceptions. He only played 19 minutes on Sunday, but the stat line was undoubtedly helpful to fantasy managers in active leagues. Dallas will be the tenth seed in the West, meaning they’ll visit Sacramento on Wednesday. The winner will get to play for the eighth seed, while the loser will head home for the summer.

Initially doubtful for Sunday’s regular-season finale, Lively is officially out. Daniel Gafford is available and will likely start, but fantasy managers in active leagues should not expect to see him playing heavy minutes. A Dallas win combined with a Sacramento loss to Phoenix would give the Mavericks home-court advantage in Wednesday’s play-in tournament matchup.

The Mavericks are locked into the ninth-seed in the West, regardless of what happens on Sunday. Davis and Washington will get the day off ahead of next week’s matchup with the Kings, and they’ll need to win two games to reach the postseason. Daniel Gafford is not on the initial injury report, but fantasy managers should not expect to see him play too many minutes.

Gafford will be back after sitting out the second night of the Mavericks’ back-to-back on Saturday. He’ll likely split the center minutes with Dereck Lively II, with Lively starting. Kai Jones, who has been playing plenty of minutes at center, has been sent down to the G League with both Gafford and Lively available.

Saturday’s game was Lively’s second since returning from a stress fracture in his ankle. As expected, there’s still some rust, and the Mavericks are taking a conservative approach to his workload. Lively only played 15 minutes, offering limited value during his time on the court. With Daniel Gafford (knee) sitting out, Kai Jones assumed the backup center responsibilities and had an excellent night. Shooting 9-of-9 from the field, he finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, one steal and three blocks. However, as good as this line was, fantasy managers whose leagues will be active next week don’t need to pick up Jones. Dallas plays on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, which should ensure that Lively and Gafford are available.

Davis and Lively have been upgraded from probable to available and should start alongside each other. Daniel Gafford (knee) is unavailable after starting on Friday, opening up a spot for Lively, while Davis will likely push Naji Marshall to the bench. Marshall is worth holding onto due to Dallas’s lack of depth.

Gafford is sitting out Saturday’s game because it is the Mavericks’ second in as many nights. Dallas will have suitable coverage for Gafford’s absence, with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II on track to play. Hardy sprained his right ankle during the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Clippers. His absence should free up additional minutes for fellow reserve Max Christie, who is worth a look in deep leagues.

Gafford started on Friday in the first leg of the Mavericks’ mini-series with the Clippers, and there is a chance that he suits up for the second game. However, it is more likely that he sits out, which would allow Kai Jones to once again play a large role off the bench, with Dereck Lively II starting at center.

Both players sat out the first night of the Mavericks’ back-to-back set with the Clippers, so their expected availability shouldn’t come as a surprise. They’ll both likely start, which will push Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford to the bench, though Gafford is questionable as he continues to manage his knee injury.

Lively will sit out the first leg of the Mavericks’ back-to-back set with the Clippers, which will likely allow Daniel Gafford to start. With both players coming off lengthy absences, Gafford will likely sit out on Saturday, with Lively returning to the starting lineup. Kai Jones should take on extra minutes in both games.