Old curse strikes Mavericks again right before season begins

The Dallas Mavericks are officially just one more sleep away from tipping off their 2025-26 NBA regular season campaign. Not only is there plenty of hype surrounding the Mavericks as they are headlining Anthony Davis and a rookie year Cooper Flagg, but the team could have a legit chance at making a lot of noise in the Western Conference if health prevails throughout the roster.

As the Mavericks found out last season, it's hard to win with an unhealthy roster, and Dallas' season is already not off to a strong start before the year can even officially tip off. It was announced Tuesday afternoon that center Daniel Gafford was listed as doubtful for the Mavericks' season opener against the San Antonio Spurs, and while Gafford isn't expected to miss any serious time after rehabbing an ankle sprain all of training camp, the Mavericks' spell of being fully healthy couldn't even last one day.

Not only does the health and availability of this Mavericks squad determine what their ceiling could look like this season, but it also shapes what Nico Harrison and the team's front office do to build around the future of Flagg. Already missing a key piece of the team's success in Gafford, it is not a strong way to start the season.

The injury bug just won't leave the Mavericks alone

It shouldn't come as a shock to fans when the Mavericks' biggest fear this season is injuries to key players or multiple players during the same time span. In what was possibly the worst injury luck of last season, the Mavericks were almost forced to forfeit games due to not having enough players on their active roster.

No doubt, only losing a player of Gafford's capabilities for one or even a few games shouldn't be labeled as a problem, but the Mavericks' biggest fear may already be taking place. During the very first day of training camp a few weeks ago, Gafford and Brandon Williams both suffered respective injuries, and while Williams would return for the Mavericks' final preseason affair, Gafford still has yet to play with the team in meaningful time on the floor.

This may just be a stunt to ensure that Gafford's ankle is fully healthy for the duration of an 82-game regular season, but the double-big lineup that Harrison and Jason Kidd have gone all in on is still waiting to be seen at full capacity. With Flagg and P.J. Washington still healthy and available, the Mavericks' size won't be a problem, but losing Gafford on one of the most important showcases of the season is a huge loss for a team looking to start the season off hot.

Gafford has traditionally been a player who has battled nagging injuries throughout the regular season, but has gotten his health on track for the playoffs or late in the regular season, so fans shouldn't be worried about the long-term ramifications of Gafford missing the opening game of the season.

Even with the absence of one of the team's most important centers, the Mavericks shouldn't take too much credence in the seven-footer's absence. If health continues to affect Gafford's availability, then there could be call for concern, but as things stand, Gafford is on the back end of an ankle injury that shouldn't have too many long-term effects on his play.

It goes without saying, but the Mavericks need to do everything in their power to avoid injuries from derailing a second season in a row.