Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford has been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain following an MRI, the team announced Tuesday. Gafford will be re-evaluated in approximately 10 days.
Gafford was injured when he rolled his ankle coming down for a rebound attempt in the fourth quarter of Monday’s contest against the Indiana Pacers. He needed a wheelchair to help him to the locker room and did not return to the game.
The Wizards acquired Gafford ahead of last week’s NBA trade deadline, along with Chandler Hutchison from the Chicago Bulls. Gafford made a great first impression in his Wizards debut. He made 6-of-7 field goals for 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks against the Detroit Pistons, Saturday.
He kept the momentum going in his second appearance against the Pacers. Gafford had 13 points along with six rebounds and two blocks before he left the game.
At 6-foot-10, the 22-year old Gafford appears to be the rim protector and post presence the Wizards have been yearning for quite sometime. He’s immediately jelled with Russell Westbrook on the floor. However, the momentum Gafford has created is halted until he gets back healthy.
