Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford enjoyed a big game on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gafford is under contract for one season beyond 2024/25, with a $14.4MM guaranteed salary for ’25/26. He’s currently back in the Mavs’ starting lineup while Lively recovers a right ankle sprain, which will sideline him again on Friday vs. Oklahoma City.

The Dallas Mavericks entered the Queen City with another shorthanded roster for their matinee against the Charlotte Hornets on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The early tip-off was just the start of a back-and-forth tilt between the two teams,

Gafford posted 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 boards, three blocks, two assists and one steal across 33 minutes of action in Wednesday's 115-114 loss to the Timberwolves.

With Dereck Lively II expected to miss the next 2-3 months, Gafford is ready to handle a bigger role in Dallas.

It was a short-handed Southwestern Division matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, as Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones were among the key players out on both sides.

Reports started to surface last week that the Dallas Mavericks were "dangling" Daniel Gafford ... so unless New Orleans shifts their thinking, Gafford isn't likely to go anywhere.

The Dallas Mavericks are continuing to pursue New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones to be the final piece in their bid for championship contention, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Dejounte Murray lit the Mavericks up for 30 points, and Trey Murphy III wasn't far behind with 24. Neither was entirely efficient from the floor, but they made enough shots to sink the Mavs. Dallas' starters just weren't good enough, which is where we'll start our three takeaways.

Dallas’ next man up mantra is being tested at a mind-boggling rate after Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber suffered injuries in an 11-day

Not playing Monday vs. Wiz

The early tip-off led to a back-and-forth tilt between the two teams, but Dallas couldn’t overcome its shortcoming of depth and left with a 110-105