Almost a historic moment unfolded on Thursday night at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City as Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford made a remarkable attempt to break a 57-year-old NBA record set by Wilt Chamberlain, a legendary figure in basketball history and a 13-time NBA All-Star. Gafford, who had made an impressive 33 consecutive shots leading up to Thursday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, narrowly missed breaking Chamberlain’s record of 35 consecutive makes, set during a legendary four-game stretch with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967, when he missed a field-goal attempt with 11:28 remaining in the first quarter. Despite falling short of the record, Gafford showcased his talent by shooting 8 of 11 from the field, contributing 19 points, 15 rebounds, and a blocked shot in 26 minutes during the Mavericks’ 126–119 loss. The Arkansas native’s impressive run occurred over a five-game period from March 5 to March 13, coinciding with the Mavericks’ 4–1 record during that time. Reflecting on his near-record achievement, Gafford expressed both disappointment and pride, emphasizing the honor of being mentioned alongside Chamberlain. As the NBA season progresses, Gafford continues to lead the league in field-goal percentage while averaging 11 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in 60 appearances.
