Mavs' Daniel Gafford 'Enjoyed' Facing Former Team, Still Adjusting After Trade

In his second performance with the Mavs, Gafford faced his former team, the Washington Wizards, on Monday night. By providing 16 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks, two assists, and two steals in 24 minutes, he proved instrumental in helping to achieve a 112-104 victory despite a poor perimeter shooting night as a team. 

“It went good for the most part," Gafford said. “I really enjoyed seeing all the guys again, so at the end of the day we came out and handled business. It took us a minute, but we for sure got it done in the end game. It was something to adjust to just hearing most of the guys that I was in the same locker with for three years room talking crap to me."

By facing a team he played for less than a week prior, Gafford was very familiar with "pretty much everything" the Wizards tried to run on both offense and defense. He was able to anticipate what was coming and talk his teammates through it. 

“Just pretty much everything that they ran, it was kind of like something that we had put in when I was there right when Keefe became the coach,” Gafford said. “So, it was just like, ‘Ok, yeah, I know exactly what’s coming.' So, I was just pretty much just trying my best to kind of talk guys through it. I’m not really good at that yet, but I’ll get there.”

Gafford and P.J. Washington made their first start as members of the Mavs when helping contribute to the victory over the Wizards. Both players have helped fill needed holes for Dallas, particularly Gafford, who has helped contribute to two victories while Dereck Lively II remains sidelined due to injury. 

“The seven offensive rebounds and being able to give us second or third opportunities, I thought he was great tonight,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought for Gafford and P.J. (Washington) to start without practice just shows their versatility. They’re pros, and I thought they both played well.”

There is still plenty left to adjust to for Gafford in addition to learning the terminology for the Mavs' schemes. He is still getting used to being on the receiving end of Luka Doncic's pass attempts that most wouldn't attempt, but he's able to deliver, whether it's a no-look or a late lob. 

“A couple tonight are some of the ones that I could have caught,” Gafford said. “Like the lob that I missed and the one that I tipped off to Josh (Green) in the corner. But other than that, I’m adjusting pretty well and I’m trying to for sure just be ready. They tell me there’s a lot of crazy passes that’ll come. So at the end of the day, I just got to have my antenna up."

When in doubt, Gafford understands he can fill the dunker's spot and get ready to be a relief option for Doncic on the lob or be able to fight the opposing team on the boards to come up with an offensive rebound. 

“Really, just get out the way, in all honestly," Gafford said. "Let [Luka] do his thing and just be in the back end for a rebound or a lob.”

The Mavs appreciate the impact Gafford has provided as a team that has struggled to contain him on the offensive boards when facing him in previous matchups. Gafford's depth has helped insulate Dallas from being too small when Lively is out. Before the trade deadline, the team was 6-9 when playing without Lively but has since won two games with Gafford filling in. 

“We’ve always gone against him, and he’s always hurt us,” Kidd said. “For any shots the Wizards missed, he got all the offensive rebounds. And so, it’s nice to see that the other day that he does that to everybody, not just us. We’re really excited to have him as a starter or as someone who’s going to come off the bench to give us depth.”

The Mavs and Gafford will look to build on their momentum against the Spurs, finishing the team's pre-All-Star break schedule. A victory would extend the team's winning streak to six straight.