Dallas Mavericks will be shorthanded for the first time. Now, reserve bigs can step up

In their first playoff game at American Airlines Center since 2022, the Mavericks will be shorthanded after two games without a single name on the injury report.

The most significant addition to the daily report was Daniel Gafford, who is questionable for Game 3 due to back spasms after Tuesday’s victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles.

Gafford, dressed in a sweatsuit with the hood flipped over his head, emerged from a meeting of Dallas’ group of centers after Thursday’s practice. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd revealed he didn’t participate.

The injury update places a precarious uncertainty on Gafford’s status for Friday’s game — the first home postseason contest for the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem. The game is pivotal because the winner of Game 3, when the series is tied at 1-1, goes on to win the series 73.7% of the time.

Gafford was joined in the meeting by big men Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, Dwight Powell and several assistant coaches. A significant change to Kidd’s starting lineup could be in the works if Gafford can’t play.

“It just puts them maybe in a different situation, but we’re not asking them to do anything different,” Kidd said when asked about Dallas’ reserve bigs. “I think you can also look at some other guys having to step into that role, too.”

Gafford has struggled significantly through the first two games of the series. He was overwhelmed by the physicality of Clippers center Ivica Zubac in Game 1 — a contest plagued by foul trouble and a minor ankle injury. He failed to grab a rebound and finished with just three points in 14 minutes. In Game 2, Gafford suffered a lower back injury in the first quarter and played 9.5 minutes. He went scoreless with one rebound and one assist.

The fifth-year big man averaged 11 points and 7.6 rebounds during the regular season with Dallas and Washington. Kidd said he’ll show Gafford examples of how he used his rim-rolling finishing ability to be successful in the past.

“Just showing him on tape here, as we go forward, what he’s had success with,” Kidd said. “We’ve missed — not just Gafford — but we’ve missed some layups, and give credit to the Clippers. But it’s also part of the game and just focusing and being unselfish for Game 3.We can’t worry about anything else, and for Gafford and for Luka and for Kai, that’s what it’s all about.”

In the case that Gafford can’t suit up, the next logical option at starting center is Lively — the 7-1 rookie center who poses a tremendous upside on the defensive end. He shares a similar skillset to Gafford, who is also a lob threat. While Gafford is bulkier and has a more polished finishing game, Lively possesses more athleticism and length, which helps him on both ends of the floor. Lively had a significantly better outing in Game 2 than his playoff debut last Sunday, finishing with nine points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.

Lively spent most of Thursday’s practice with player development coach and former Mavs center Tyson Chandler. They worked on several details of the game, including post positioning.

Kleber, who’s in his seventh season and fourth postseason, said Lively’s development is far from that of a first-year center in the NBA.

“I’ve said it all season, he doesn’t really play like a rookie,” Kleber said. “I think he’s a very, very smart player. He understands the schemes. He understands what he has to do as a big guy because a lot of times, we’re the ones helping in that position. He’s always in the right spots and takes the challenge.”

As for Kleber, who Doncic found in the corner for a clutch 3-pointer with two minutes remaining in Game 2, he should also receive additional opportunity if Gafford is unable to play. His specialty is defense, but any offensive production would help the Mavericks, who need as many players outside of Doncic and Irving to score as possible.

“Anytime the shot goes in, it feels great,” Kleber said.

There’s an old adage that role players typically perform better at home. Dallas will test that theory Friday night.

“Hopefully, that’s the case for us being home for Game 3 and 4,” Kidd said. “But I thought they played well on the road in the last game.”

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Olivier-Maxence Prosper won’t be available for the Mavericks on Friday because of ankle sprains. They are expected to be re-evaluated in the coming days. Meanwhile, Gafford’s status will be revealed shortly before tip-off.

Luckily for the Mavericks, they have reinforcements.