Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks big man on the brink of a Wilt Chamberlain record

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 3/12/24

Anytime a player threatens to break one of Wilt Chamberlain's 72NBA records, you know they're doing something right.

Entering a road game against Chicago on Monday, Mavericks center Daniel Gafford had gone 19-for-19 from the field in his previous three outings. With another perfect 9-9 night against the Bulls, he extended his streak to 28 consecutive field goals over his last four games.

Gafford is now just seven field goals shy of Chamberlain's record of 35 straight makes, which "The Big Dipper" set during a four-game span between Feb. 17 and Feb. 28, 1967.

Gafford's last four games:

9-9 FG
7-7 FG
5-5 FG
7-7 FG

28 consecutive makes — the most by any player in the 21st century. https://t.co/FsK0qkuxHh
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 12, 2024

While some would disregard Gafford's feat as a case of him capitalizing on putback dunks, alley-oops and easy shot opportunities created by Luka Doncic, it's worth noting that he is a career 70 percent shooter and has been scoring this efficiently since he entered the league in 2019. Since arriving in Dallas ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Gafford is shooting an eye-popping 76.6 percent from the field.

After Monday's game, Gafford admitted he was surprised when he learned he was on the verge of history.

"Yes, I was [surprised], but I just want to keep moving forward," Gafford said post-game. "I tell people any accolade that's around my name is a good thing for me, but at the end of the day, I just want to win. I just want to compete and have fun with the game."

The big man burst into laughter when asked if had ever made 28-28 field goals in practice.

"No, I don't think so. I'm just going out and doing my job, but I will have it [the record] in the back of my head for sure."

Gafford will get the opportunity to make history Wednesday night when Dallas hosts Golden State, a team that isn't particularly known for its interior defense. Also, the Mavs have dominated the Warriors since Doncic entered the league in 2018, holding a 12-5 record against Stephen Curry & Co. Gafford would need to go 7-7 to surpass Chamberlain's 57-year record.

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