In the wake of another hard-fought playoff performance, Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford voiced his concern over what he sees as a lack of officiating respect for veteran guard Kyrie Irving. Following a game marked by physical play and multiple uncalled fouls against Irving, Gafford spoke candidly about the punishment his teammate continues to take on the court.
“He’s gonna end up getting hurt because of how many guys put him on the floor,” Gafford said during the postgame press conference. “I wish they would respect him and give him a couple more calls under the basket.”
Irving, a seasoned NBA All-Star and one of the most skilled ball-handlers in league history, has long been known for his fearless drives to the hoop. But Gafford believes that Irving’s reputation for finesse may be working against him, as defenders are allowed to get overly physical without being penalized.
Throughout the series, Irving has absorbed significant contact on his drives, often ending up on the floor without a whistle. Despite his continued offensive production, the lack of calls appears to be taking a toll on both his body and his impact on the game.
“It’s frustrating,” Gafford continued. “We’re fighting every possession, and when you’ve got a guy who’s giving it his all like that, and he’s not getting the same calls that others might, it’s hard not to feel like something’s off.”
Irving has not publicly commented on the officiating, instead focusing on team performance and preparation. However, his bruises tell a different story. In Game 3 alone, he was knocked down at least five times on drives to the rim — only two of those resulted in foul calls.
The Mavericks coaching staff has reportedly reviewed the game tape and is expected to send clips to the league for evaluation. Meanwhile, the NBA has not made any public statements regarding the officiating in the series or the treatment of Irving.
Gafford’s remarks reflect a growing concern within the Mavericks’ locker room: that one of their key stars is being unfairly officiated, and that it could lead to a significant injury if not addressed.
“We just want it to be fair,” Gafford said. “Kyrie’s a competitor. He deserves the same protection as anybody else out there.”
As the series continues, all eyes will be on both the referees and how Irving responds to the physicality. The Mavericks hope the league takes notice — before it’s too late.
