The early tip-off led to a back-and-forth tilt between the two teams, but Dallas couldn’t overcome its shortcoming of depth and left with a 110-105

Despite losing to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday afternoon, Daniel Gafford proved something huge to the Dallas Mavericks' front office amid sudden trade rumors.

The Dallas Mavericks had an early tip to start Martin Luther King Jr. Day against the Charlotte Hornets, entering the game wildly short-handed. Dallas was without Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Quentin Grimes, Dante Exum, Dwight Powell, and Jaden Hardy, while Charlotte was missing Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, and Grant Williams.

Gafford recorded 31 points (12-15 FG, 7-7 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, six blocks and one steal over 34 minutes during Monday's 110-105 loss to the Hornets.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford enjoyed a big game on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Mark Williams scored a career high 31 points and had 13 rebounds to help the Charlotte Hornets beat the Utah Jazz 117-112 on Wednesday night. LaMelo Ball added 27 points, nine assists and three blocks to help Charlotte snap a seven-game road losing streak.

Gafford is under contract for one season beyond 2024/25, with a $14.4MM guaranteed salary for ’25/26. He’s currently back in the Mavs’ starting lineup while Lively recovers a right ankle sprain, which will sideline him again on Friday vs. Oklahoma City.

CJ McCollum scored six of his 45 points in overtime and the New Orleans Pelicans orchestrated the largest comeback in franchise history, overcoming a 25-point deficit to beat Utah Jazz 123-119 on Monday night.

CJ McCollum scored six of his 45 points in overtime and the host New Orleans Pelicans set a franchise record by overcoming a 25-point deficit in defeating the Utah Jazz 123-119 on Monday night.

The Dallas Mavericks slide down the Western Conference continued after an injury-stricken Mavs fell 105-110 to the tanking Charlotte Hornets. Kyrie Irving was the only star available for the Mavericks but his 33-point performance couldn't vault the Mavs to a win tonight against LaMelo Ball and the Hornets.

Pelicans make history with massive comeback: The Pelicans made franchise history Monday with a 25-point comeback victory over the Jazz to set a new club record. CJ McCollum popped off for 45 points extended their season-best winning streak to four games.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges each scored 23 points and the Charlotte Hornets held on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-105 on Monday to extend their winning streak to a season-high three games.