Dallas Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford recorded 17 points in 19 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday after missing 21 games due to a knee sprain.
Gafford led the Mavs in scoring in the 113-109 loss to the Nets while contributing seven rebounds.
The Mavs had planned to restrict Gafford to 15-20 minutes of action in his return, according to Athlon Sports' Grant Afseth.
The 26-year-old entered Monday averaging a career-high 12.3 points with 6.9 rebounds in 51 games this season.
Dallas paired Gafford with star forward Anthony Davis for just the second time this season on Monday, as the duo has struggled to stay healthy since Davis joined the team in February. Davis recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
The Mavs are still thin up front despite some key players returning, with starting center Dereck Lively II sidelined because of a broken ankle.
Keon Johnson led the Nets in scoring with 24 points. D'Angelo Russell added 18 points and 11 assists.
The loss drops Dallas to 37-39. The Mavericks rank ninth in the Western Conference and hold one of four play-in tournament spots.
