NEW ORLEANS — Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford scored his 27th point of the team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night, setting a new career-high for his most points scored in a game.

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.

It was a short-handed Southwestern Division matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, as Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones were among the key players out on both sides.

The Dallas Mavericks are continuing to pursue New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones to be the final piece in their bid for championship contention, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

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

Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, Trey Murphy III blocked Spencer Dinwiddie’s layup for the lead with 4 seconds left and the New Orleans Pelicans outlasted the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 119-116.

But this was one of those eyebrow-raising moments that gives even more credence to the belief that referees should be fined for missed calls or poor judgment. New Orleans had the ball with around 15 seconds on the clock and a one-point lead.

Dejounte Murray lit the Mavericks up for 30 points, and Trey Murphy III wasn't far behind with 24. Neither was entirely efficient from the floor, but they made enough shots to sink the Mavs. Dallas' starters just weren't good enough, which is where we'll start our three takeaways.

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.

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi tries to block Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Credit ...

There was no Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II on Wednesday night, but there was a robbed of a go-ahead layup with 3.5 seconds.

Dejounte Murray scored 30 points, Trey Murphy III added 24 and a game-saving blocked shot and the host New Orleans Pelicans ... three blocks for the Pelicans. Daniel Gafford had 27 points and ...