DANIEL GAFFORD NEWS

Kuzma and the Wizards visit conference foe Brooklyn

The Nets will take on conference opponent Washington

FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Associated Press

Indiana plays Washington, looks to break home slide

Indiana enters a matchup against Washington after losing four straight home games

FEBRUARY 16, 2022 • Associated Press

Out Wednesday Gafford (conditioning) is out Wednesday against the Pacers.

Impact Gafford will have just one more chance to return before the All-Star break Thursday against the Nets. However, his role will be complicated by the eventual debut of Kristaps Porzingis (knee).

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kuzma scores 23, Wizards deal Pistons 8th straight loss

Kyle Kuzma scored 17 of his 23 points in the third quarter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16, and Deni Avdija had 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds as the Washington Wizards...

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • Associated Press

Remains out Monday Gafford (conditioning) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pistons.

Impact Gafford has cleared the COVID-19 health and safety protocols but will miss his fourth straight game as he continues to improve his conditioning. The 23-year-old figures to have a reduced role once cleared to play given the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis (knee) ahead Thursday's trade deadline.

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit takes on Washington on 7-game losing streak

Detroit is looking to end its seven-game skid with a victory over Washington

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • Associated Press

Fox, Sabonis power new-look Kings past Wizards 123-110

De’Aaron Fox scored 26 points, Domantas Sabonis added 16 points and 11 rebounds in his second game for Sacramento, and the new-look Kings beat the Washington Wizards 123-110

FEBRUARY 13, 2022 • Associated Press

Won't play Saturday Gafford (COVID-19 protocols) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Sacramento.

Impact Gafford was initially removed from the injury report for Saturday's matchup, but he'll ultimately be forced to miss a third consecutive game due to the league's health and safety protocols. Once he's able to return, it's not clear how much usage he'll see since the Wizards acquired several frontcourt options ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

FEBRUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Off injury report Gafford (COVID-19 protocols) is off the injury report for Saturday's game against the Kings.

Impact After two missed games due to protocols, Gafford will be back in the rotation Saturday. With Montrezl Harrell now in Charlotte, Gafford's workload may trend upward again. However, it's unclear how Kristaps Porzingis (knee) will be used when available.

FEBRUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sacramento visits Washington on 13-game road slide

Sacramento will attempt to break its 13-game road skid when the Kings take on Washington

FEBRUARY 11, 2022 • Associated Press

Kuzma leads Wizards past Irving, in-flux Nets, 113-112

Kyle Kuzma had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double, leading the injury- and trade-depleted Washington Wizards to a 113-112 win over Kyrie Irvin...

FEBRUARY 11, 2022 • Associated Press

Brooklyn visits Washington, looks to end road slide

Brooklyn will attempt to stop its six-game road slide when the Nets take on Washington

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • Associated Press

Adebayo, Butler lead Heat to 121-100 win over Wizards

Bam Adebayo scored 21 points and Jimmy Butler had 19 as the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat cruised to a 121-100 win over the Washington Wizards

FEBRUARY 8, 2022 • Associated Press

Lands in COVID-19 protocols Gafford was placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols Sunday and has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Heat.

Impact Gafford will have to clear protocols before he's able to rejoin the team. He's started 45 of 48 contests this season and is averaging 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 assists per game. However, his role was expected to diminish significantly now that Thomas Bryant is getting back to full strength. In Gafford's absence, Montrezl Harrell is expected to continue serving as the primary backup while Thomas Bryant sticks in the starting lineup.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench Gafford will come off the bench Saturday against the Suns, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Impact With Thomas Bryant returning, Gafford will head back to the bench. It's not a guarantee that he'll be in the rotation.

FEBRUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back in starting five Wednesday Gafford will start Wednesday's game against the 76ers, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Impact Gafford was all but dropped from the rotation over the last two games, but with Thomas Bryant (ankle) sidelined, he'll find himself thrust back into the lineup at center. Gafford did not play in Saturday's loss to Memphis, and he saw only six minutes of action Tuesday against Milwaukee after Bryant went down.

FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scrubbed from rotation Gafford (coach's decision) didn't see the court Saturday in the Wizards' 115-95 loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact For the first time all season, Gafford went unused for reasons other than injury. The writing has been on the wall for the 23-year-old to fall out of the rotation, as his minutes had been trending downward since Thomas Bryant made his season debut earlier this month following an extended absence due to the ACL tear he suffered in 2020-21. With head coach Wes Unseld Jr. moving Bryant to the top unit Saturday, the Wizards elected to end their three-man rotation at center, as Bryant and Montrezl Harrell absorbed all the minutes at the position when Washington went big, while Rui Hachimura and Kyle Kuzma saw some time as small-ball options. Unseld said Saturday that he intends to keep Bryant in the starting five for at least a few more games, so Gafford doesn't look as though he'll be rejoining the rotation at any point in the near future.

JANUARY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ja Morant scores 34 points, Grizzlies beat Wizards 115-95

Ja Morant scored 34 points, his sixth straight game of at least 30 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies built an early lead in a 115-95 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday...

JANUARY 30, 2022 • Associated Press

Coming off bench Saturday Gafford isn't starting Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.

Impact Gafford saw a decrease in playing time recently, as he averaged 6.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game across his last six appearances. Thomas Bryant will take his place in the starting five Saturday.

JANUARY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 12 points in 12 minutes Gafford provided 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 12 minutes during Tuesday's 116-115 loss to the Clippers.

Impact Gafford continues to operate as the starter, but he has failed to play more than 12 minutes in six straight games. The center's 12 points Tuesday marked his first time in double figures since Jan. 9. Despite coming off the bench, Montrezl Harrell continues to play more minutes and out produce the aforementioned starter. Gafford will look to build off his solid performance and chip away at Harrell's stronghold on the center position during Washington's upcoming three-game road trip.

JANUARY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

In foul trouble vs. Embiid Gafford finished Monday's 117-98 victory over the 76ers with five points (2-2 FG, 1-2 FT) and one block over eight minutes.

Impact Considering his minutes had already been on the decline of late with Rui Hachimura and Thomas Bryant back in the mix, this was an alarming afternoon for Gafford, who picked up a few early fouls and sat out nearly the entire second half. For now, he still appears to have the upper hand at center, but both Bryant (15 points, five rebounds) and Hachimura (11 points, five rebounds) played well Monday, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the trio splits minutes relatively evenly going forward. Bryant, who missed more than a full calendar year with a torn ACL, could even reclaim his starting designation at some point.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

As NBA prepares to celebrate King, Robertson also remembers

NBA players officially began participating in games that were scheduled to celebrate and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1986 when the federal holiday commemorating...

JANUARY 16, 2022 • Associated Press

Role continues to diminish Gafford produced two points (0-4 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist across 11 minutes during Saturday's 115-110 loss to Portland.

Impact Gafford's fantasy relevancy may soon be coming to an end, as the return of Thoms Bryant and the excellent play from Montrezl Harrell may render the big man at the bottom of the depth chart. Although Bryant's impact was minimal in Saturday's loss, he's expected to get his starting role back when he is at 100 percent, and Harrell has outperformed Gafford in a reserve role on a regular basis.

JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 16 minutes with Bryant back Gafford supplied eight points (4-4 FG), three rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 16 minutes during Wednesday's 112-106 victory over Orlando.

Impact It wasn't an overly remarkable game for Gafford, who provided fantasy managers with two more blocks, but it's worth noting that he saw only 16 minutes -- his fewest in any game since Dec. 5 -- as Thomas Bryant (knee) made his long-awaited return from a torn ACL. Bryant saw only 11 minutes of action off the bench, but that number figures to gradually creep up as he builds up his confidence and conditioning. With Rui Hachimura also back from an extended personal absence, Gafford's workload will be worth monitoring closely over the next several games. If he ends up in the 15-to-20-minute range on most nights, fantasy managers may have to consider cutting bait.

JANUARY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Beal scores 29 in return, Wizards beat Cavaliers 110-93

Bradley Beal had 29 points and 10 assists in his return from the NBA’s health and safety protocols, leading the Washington Wizards to a 110-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers

DECEMBER 31, 2021 • Associated Press