Mavericks' Daniel Gafford aggravates lingering ankle injury again, leaves game vs. Celtics

Gafford has been dealing with a right ankle injury all season since spraining it in training camp.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:55pm

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Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford appeared to aggravate his lingering right ankle injury during the second quarter of Tuesday's game against the Boston Celtics. Gafford, who initially sprained the ankle on the first day of training camp, has re-injured it multiple times this season, causing him to miss 16 games so far.

Why it matters

Gafford's recurring ankle injury has been a persistent issue for the Mavericks this season, limiting his availability and potentially impacting the team's performance. The team will need to carefully manage Gafford's recovery to ensure he can return to full strength and contribute effectively.

The details

During a defensive play, Gafford's right leg bumped into a Celtics player, causing his right ankle to turn awkwardly. He immediately went down and grabbed at his ankle. Gafford has been dealing with this injury since spraining the ankle on the first day of training camp, and has aggravated it several times over the course of the season, leading to 16 missed games so far.

  • Gafford initially sprained his ankle on the first day of training camp.
  • Gafford's most recent ankle injury exit came on Jan. 14.
  • The incident in the Celtics game occurred on Feb. 4, 2026.

The players

Daniel Gafford

A Dallas Mavericks center who has been dealing with a recurring right ankle injury since spraining it in training camp.

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What they’re saying

“It's a bit of a balanced scale. I want to be out there on the floor as much as I can. But at the same time, you have to listen to your body, especially through the course of a season.”

— Daniel Gafford (dallasnews.com)

“I just want to come back and be able to do the things I'm able to do out there on the floor and make an impact. I don't want to be out there being a liability and hurting the team more than helping them.”

— Daniel Gafford (dallasnews.com)

What’s next

The Mavericks will need to closely monitor Gafford's recovery and determine if the latest ankle injury will cause him to miss additional games.

The takeaway

Gafford's persistent ankle issues have been a challenge for the Mavericks this season, highlighting the importance of managing player health and recovery, especially for key contributors dealing with nagging injuries.