Gafford will start Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Gafford enters the starting five due to Dereck Lively (knee) being sidelined. This marks Gafford's first start since Nov. 12 and his 12th of the season. Through 11 starts, Gafford holds averages of 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Jaden Hardy: Starting sans Irving on Sunday
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Hardy will enter the starting five in Sunday's game against Portland, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
With Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and Klay Thompson (foot) sidelined, Hardy will get the start on the wing alongside Quentin Grimes. In his last five outings (one start), Hardy has averaged 8.0 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 17.2 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Back in action Sunday
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Doncic (wrist) is available for Sunday's game against Portland.
Doncic will suit up after a five-game absence due to a sprained right wrist. The superstar will be tasked with leading a Mavericks squad that's without several starters, including Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Klay Thompson (foot), Dereck Lively (knee) and Naji Marshall (illness). In his last five outings, Doncic has averaged 26.8 points, 7.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 49.5 percent from the field across 35.6 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Won't suit up Sunday
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Irving (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Portland.
Irving will miss just his second outing of the season due to right shoulder soreness. In the superstar's absence, Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy will likely see increased roles. Irving's next chance to feature will come Tuesday against Memphis.
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Mavericks' Naji Marshall: Ruled out Sunday
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Marshall (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Portland.
Marshall left the first leg of Dallas' back-to-back set early due to an illness during Saturday's win over Utah, in which he contributed three points (1-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), one rebound and one assist across 13 minutes. The 26-year-old has carved out a significant role with the club this season, and his next chance to play will come Tuesday against Memphis.
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Mavericks' Klay Thompson: Out Sunday
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Thompson (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Portland.
Thompson will miss a fourth straight game due to left foot plantar fasciitis. Naji Marshall (illness) and Dereck Lively (knee) have already been ruled out, while Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and Luka Doncic (wrist) are questionable, so Dallas may be extremely shorthanded Sunday. Thompson's next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against Memphis.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Questionable Sunday vs. Portland
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Irving is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Portland due to right shoulder soreness.
Irving could miss the second leg of Dallas' back-to-back set due to shoulder soreness. The star guard was able to suit up during Saturday's win over Utah, during which he posted 30 points (11-25 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals across 36 minutes. If Irving is sidelined, Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy should receive an uptick in minutes, especially if Luka Doncic (wrist) misses his sixth consecutive matchup.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Sunday
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Lively has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right knee hyperextension.
Lively left Saturday's win over Utah late in the fourth quarter, and while he returned to the bench, he never reentered the game. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against Memphis. In Lively's absence, Daniel Gafford will likely move into the starting lineup, while Maxi Kleber is a candidate for increased minutes off the bench.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Iffy Sunday
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Doncic (wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Doncic is in jeopardy of missing his sixth consecutive game due to a sprained right wrist. The superstar returned to practice earlier in the week, and the questionable tag suggests he is nearing a return to game action. If Doncic is unable to suit up, Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy should see an uptick in playing time, especially if Kyrie Irving (shoulder) is sidelined as well.
Grimes posted 24 points (9-16 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 1-6 FT), four rebounds and a block across 29 minutes in Saturday's 106-94 win over the Jazz.
Grimes was coming off a 21-point, seven-rebound effort in the win over the Knicks on Nov. 27, and he reached a new season-high scoring mark with another efficient display. Grimes' fantasy value will be directly tied to Luka Doncic's return from a wrist injury. If Doncic isn't able to play against the Trail Blazers on Sunday on the second leg of a back-to-back, however, then expect Grimes to remain in the starting unit while experiencing a sizable uptick in his usage rate.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Comes close to triple-double
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Irving finished with 30 points (11-25 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and four steals across 36 minutes in Saturday's 106-94 win over the Jazz.
Irving came through every time the Mavericks needed him, but no bucket was bigger than a three-pointer when the Jazz were coming close to mounting a fourth-quarter comeback. The veteran point guard has been stepping his game up with Luka Doncic (wrist) sidelined, and he should continue to enjoy a sizable uptick in his usage rate until the star floor general is ready to return. Irving has scored at least 30 points in two of his last three appearances while reaching the 20-point plateau six times across his last eight contests.
Mavericks' Naji Marshall: Misses second half with illness
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Marshall (illness) didn't return in the second half of Saturday's 106-94 win over the Jazz. He finished with three points (1-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), one rebound and one assist across 13 minutes.
Marshall had been one of the Mavericks' most reliable scoring threats of late with Luka Doncic (wrist) sidelined for the past five games, but Marshall was unable to continue his strong run of production with the illness cutting his night short. He should be considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers in the second leg of a back-to-back set.
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Mavericks' Naji Marshall: Questionable to return Saturday
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Marshal (illness) is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Jazz.
Marshall is dealing with an upper respiratory illness, and it's uncertain whether he'll return Saturday. Maxi Kleber was inserted into the Mavericks' starting lineup for the second half due to Marshall's illness.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Ruled out for Saturday
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Doncic (wrist) is out for Saturday's game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Doncic was listed as doubtful to play despite returning to practice earlier this week, but this matchup against Utah comes too soon for his return. It remains to be seen if he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers on the second leg of a back-to-back set. Expect Quentin Grimes to remain in the lineup with Doncic out.
Thompson (foot) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Jazz.
Thompson will miss his third straight game Saturday due to left foot plantar fasciitis. Naji Marshall will likely draw another start in his absence. Thompson's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Portland.
