The Dallas Mavericks will enter Monday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves severely shorthanded in the frontcourt, with Daniel Gafford (right ankle injury management) and Dereck Lively II (right knee injury management) both ruled out — leaving Dallas without either of its centers for the first time this season.

Dallas also listed Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Danté Exum (right knee injury management), and Ryan Nembhard (left knee sprain) as unavailable. Cooper Flagg (right thumb sprain) is the lone player on the injury report cleared to play.

The timing is difficult for a team entering the second night of a back-to-back and the middle of a five-games-in-seven-days stretch.

Anthony Davis Remains Out at Least 7–10 More Days

Before Sunday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers, head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Anthony Davis is still at least one week away from returning after being re-evaluated for his left calf strain.

“He wants to play,” Kidd said. “He’s doing everything to get back. Looking at his appointment yesterday and seeing that it’s going to take another seven to ten days… he wants to be out there to help us. This gives him seven to ten days to get better, to get stronger, and hopefully in seven to ten days he’s back on the floor.”

Davis has now missed nine straight games and will miss his 10th on Monday. Kidd emphasized that Davis’ absence affects more than the rotation — it changes late-game dynamics and puts heavier defensive responsibility on rookie forward Cooper Flagg.

“For Cooper, I don’t think it changes,” Kidd said. “It just gives him the ability to go against the best defender — whether it’s a wing or a big. He’s grown in those situations.”

Daniel Gafford Out After Playing Through Ankle Pain

Daniel Gafford, who delivered 20 points and three blocks Sunday, had been playing through a lingering ankle issue. He will now sit Monday for recovery.

After Sunday’s win, Gafford made clear how much discomfort he has been carrying.

“Yeah. Not the best, but I’m an Arkansas boy,” Gafford said. “We put it in mud, come back the next day, clean it off, rub some dirt on it, and we’re good.”

He grimaced multiple times during the second half and overtime, though he continued playing until the final buzzer. With Dereck Lively II also out due to a knee injury, Dallas will be without both of its centers in Minnesota.

Kidd noted that Gafford’s leadership has been vital—particularly his halftime message to Flagg on Sunday—but acknowledged the minutes load was unsustainable given the injury.

“Daniel Gafford did everything for us tonight with his fight,” Kidd said. “His second half was really good. He spoke up at halftime.”

Kyrie Irving, Danté Exum and Ryan Nembhard Remain Out

Kyrie Irving (knee), Danté Exum (knee), and Ryan Nembhard (knee) are all sidelined, leaving Dallas without a true point guard available.

Kidd explained that injuries are forcing players like D’Angelo Russell and Cooper Flagg into expanded ball-handling roles.

“We’re asking people — and D-Lo — to be point guards and do things,” Kidd said. “Chemistry is something he’s going through right now — getting used to his new teammates.”

Without Irving, Exum, or Nembhard, Dallas has been relying heavily on Brandon Williams, who has helped stabilize the team’s pace. Kidd said the adjustments will continue as long as the guard rotation is depleted.

Dallas Mavericks Rule Out Dereck Lively II

Dereck Lively II, who played 12 minutes before fouling out Sunday, is out due to a knee injury. Kidd said before Sunday’s game that Lively “continues to improve,” but the team remains cautious with his workload.

Dallas is now without both Lively and Gafford against one of the league’s most physical frontcourts, including Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.

Injuries Impact Execution, Late-Game Rhythm

Kidd said the Mavericks are battling through more than just unavailable bodies — rhythm, roles and continuity are shifting night to night.

“You gotta go through it,” he said. “When you fail, you go back and look at film. Can we stack the right play? Can you not give up an easy three? Can you get the stop and capitalize? Two seconds can be a little pressure… but we’re going through it early in the season, which can only make us better.”

The Mavericks have lost significant ball-handling, size and defensive versatility with the current injury list. Kidd emphasized that the solution isn’t complicated — the available players must do the simple things consistently.

“Energy and effort is one,” Kidd said. “Some miscues we’re having right now are things in our control.”

Up Next

Short-handed and entering another road environment, Dallas faces a Minnesota team that has size, shooting, and continuity — everything the Mavericks currently lack.

Dallas will likely rely heavily on Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Brandon Williams, Max Christie, and Klay Thompson as they navigate another night without six rotation players.

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