The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for the possibility that third-year center Dereck Lively II could miss significant time, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Lively underwent surgery on his right foot in July and has battled several issues in the same leg since the season began. He played in the first three games, then sat out nine straight with a right knee sprain. The 21-year-old returned for four of the next six contests, skipping both ends of back-to-back sets for what the team labeled “right knee injury management.”
The situation grew more concerning when Lively missed a second consecutive game Monday in Miami, this time listed under “right foot injury management.” While the Mavericks have not specified whether the foot or knee is the primary problem, indications are that his right leg has yet to fully recover.
Even when available, Lively has been restricted by a minutes limit. Through seven appearances, including four starts, he is averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per game.
Injuries have been a recurring hurdle for the 2023 No. 12 overall pick, who has logged 98 regular-season games since entering the league. Lively served as a key rotation player during Dallas’s run to the 2024 NBA Finals, but recurring foot and knee issues have hampered his availability this year.
An extended spell on the sideline would add to Dallas’s injury woes. The club has already been without big man Anthony Davis for 14 consecutive games because of a calf strain, although the team hopes he can return to practice on Wednesday.
Source: Hoops Rumors
