The Dallas Mavericks’ frontcourt rotation will look slightly different Saturday night as the team wraps up its back-to-back set against the Washington Wizards.

Anthony Davis (left calf strain) has been downgraded to out, while Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain) has been upgraded to available after being a game-time decision. The Mavericks will also be without Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain), Klay Thompson (illness), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), and Danté Exum (right knee injury management).

Daniel Gafford Returns, Ready to “Hold It Down”

Gafford, who exited Friday’s 118–104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies due to ankle soreness, will suit up in Washington after testing the injury pregame. The 6-foot-10 center admitted back-to-backs can be challenging but emphasized staying focused on the game in front of him.

“Back-to-backs are tough, just the mentality to how you approach it,” Gafford said. “You’re going to be tired, you’re going to be fatigued — depending on how the game went the night before. But the most important game is the game you played the day of.”

After missing the first five games of the season with a sprained ankle, Gafford has been on a minutes restriction but has steadily built momentum. He posted 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals against the Pelicans earlier this week before his abbreviated scoreless outing in Memphis.

“There’s been times throughout the last couple of games where they talked to me and said they were going to raise them up,” Gafford said. “But honestly, it’s really just kind of throughout the course of the game and just going throughout the flow — that’s kind of when they’ll let me know.”

With Davis and Lively both unavailable, Gafford said he views his role as the primary interior anchor until the Mavericks regain full strength.

“I said it’s kind of like déjà vu,” Gafford said. “We were in the same situation last year. I told them: ‘Hey look man, y’all take time to get y’all bodies right and make sure y’all get back healthy to where y’all feel like y’all are at 100 percent, and I’ll hold it down as much as I can for y’all.’”

Anthony Davis’ Return Timeline Still Unclear

Davis traveled with the team for the two-game trip and had been trending toward a return before being ruled out. Head coach Jason Kidd said before Friday’s game that the All-Star forward continues to make progress but the team remains cautious.

“He seems in good spirits, and I think he’s doing fine health-wise,” Kidd said. “So we’ll see.”

In five games this season, Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while anchoring Dallas’ defense and providing its best rim protection. His absence continues to test the team’s interior depth during a stretch in which the Mavericks have lost four straight.

Dallas Mavericks Seek Bounce-Back in Washington

Dallas (2–7) enters the matchup looking to snap a four-game skid after falling to Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, and Memphis. In Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies, Max Christie led with 18 points, Naji Marshall added 16 and seven rebounds, and P.J. Washington scored 11 of his 14 points in the first quarter.

The Wizards (1–8) are also reeling after a 148–114 blowout loss to Cleveland in NBA Cup play. Washington gave up 25 offensive rebounds and at least 33 points in every quarter of that game.

Dallas will look to avenge its Oct. 24 home loss to Washington, when the Wizards escaped with a 117–107 victory behind Kyshawn George’s 34 points and 11 rebounds. Davis dominated that contest with 27 points and 13 boards, while Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington added 18 points apiece.

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