Report: Mavs' Daniel Gafford Out At Least 6 Weeks with Knee Injury amid AD Absence

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford will miss at least six weeks due to a right MCL sprain, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon.

Gafford suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Mavericks' 129-128 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, exiting the contest after colliding with Kings guard Malik Monk.

Dallas' frontcourt depth was already thin after star forward Anthony Davis sustained a left adductor strain in his team debut on Feb. 8.

Davis, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade involving Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, is expected to miss "multiple weeks" until he's able to make his return (via Charania and MacMahon).

Center Dereck Lively II hasn't played since Jan. 14 due to a stress fracture in his right ankle, while Dwight Powell has missed each of Dallas' past 14 games with a hip injury.

As for Gafford, the Mavericks initially announced he suffered a knee sprain and would be reevaluated within two weeks.

The 26-year-old has been a steady contributor for Dallas as both a starter and reserve this season, averaging 12.3 points and 6.9 rebounds to go along with 1.9 blocks per game. He was also shooting 69.9 percent from the field.

Gafford was gradually transitioning into a larger role prior to the injury, excelling with extended minutes.

In the 10 games prior to his injury against Sacramento, he averaged 15.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He also served as an intimidating rim protector, recording 3.8 blocks per game over that span.

His reported absence is a tough blow to a Mavericks team fighting for playoff positioning, currently sitting at No. 8 in the Western Conference standings with a 30-26 record.

Until Gafford is able to return, expect Kessler Edwards to remain in Dallas' starting lineup moving forward.