Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not ready to resume running
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Lively (foot) still hasn't progressed to running yet, per Christian Clark of The Athletic.
Lively is walking and lifting weights, though he's not quite ready to enter the next phase of his rehab. The 22-year-old big man is recovering from right foot surgery, which cut his season short in December of last year, and it remains uncertain if he'll be a full participant in training camp this fall. The Mavericks did take Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to improve their frontcourt, but Lively remains the most likely candidate to open next season as Dallas' starting center.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Position on depth chart in jeopardy
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Lively (foot) faces increased competition for minutes heading into the 2026-27 campaign, especially with the Mavericks selecting Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Lively hasn't lived up to expectations through his first three seasons in the NBA. Although the 22-year-old is a talented player, the real concern is his durability. After appearing in 55 games as a rookie, Lively played in 36 contests in his second year. However, things were worse in the 2025-26 campaign, with the 2023 No. 12 overall pick suiting up for only seven games before eventually undergoing season-ending foot surgery. Dallas has plenty of big bodies entering the season, though it's unknown how head coach Dusty May will divide the workload. One thing is clear; time is running out for Lively to prove he can stay healthy. In fact, it may already be too late. With that in mind, Johnson isn't a true center, but even if the former Wolverine plays the position in a limited capacity for the Mavericks in 2026-27, he might surpass Lively on the depth chart sooner rather than later.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Undergoes surgery on right foot
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Lively successfully underwent surgery on his right foot Sunday.
Lively sought out multiple opinions on his right foot, but it was ultimately determined that season-ending surgery was the best course of action for the third-year center, and he's expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season. Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell will continue to serve as the main big men for Dallas behind Anthony Davis in Lively's absence.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Set for season-ending surgery
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Lively is slated to undergo season-ending surgery in the coming days to address lingering discomfort in his right foot, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Lively sought multiple opinions on his foot since suffering a setback in his last appearance Nov. 21, but doctors determined that surgery was the best course of action. The 21-year-old is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season. He made just seven appearances during his third NBA season, posting averages of 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per contest. Daniel Gafford is likely to have a higher minutes floor for the rest of the season with Lively out of the mix, and Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell could continue to see more opportunities in backup roles.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Considered out indefinitely
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The Mavericks announced Thursday that Lively (foot) has no timetable for a return, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Lively is getting multiple opinions regarding the swelling and discomfort in his right foot. It sounds like the third-year center can be labeled as week-to-week until the next steps in his recovery are determined. Dallas should continue to lean on Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford (ankle) for the center minutes.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Still out
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Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Heat.
Lively will miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a right foot injury, and he can be considered doubtful ahead of Friday's game against the Thunder. With the third-year center remaining on the shelf, Daniel Gafford (ankle) should continue to see increased run if he's cleared to play.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: To miss at least three games
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Lively (foot) will miss the next three games and will be re-evaluated in seven-to-ten days, the Mavericks announced Tuesday.
This follows up a previous report from NBA reporter Marc Stein that indicated the Mavericks were fearful of the center missing extended time. Lively is currently being evaluated for swelling and discomfort in his right foot, and that's notable since it's the same foot he had offseason surgery on. This means Lively will be sidelined through Dec. 1, with an earliest possible return date of Dec. 3 against the Heat. Fantasy managers should brace for a longer absence, however. In the meantime, Daniel Gafford is likely to see a bump in fantasy appeal.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Could miss extended time
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According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, it is feared that the Mavericks could face an extended injury absence for Lively (foot).
Lively missed Monday's game against Miami for right foot injury management, but he may be dealing with something more severe based on this report. Lively has appeared in just seven games thus far after offseason foot surgery, and the center can't seem to stay on the floor. Fantasy managers will need to sit tight until more clarity is known.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Ruled out for Monday
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Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Heat.
Lively will miss Monday's contest due to right foot injury management, marking his second consecutive absence. With the third-year center sidelined, Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell are candidates for increased minutes behind Daniel Gafford.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Saturday
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Lively (knee/rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
As expected, Lively will take a seat for the second half of Dallas' back-to-back set after posting four points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 18 minutes off the bench during Friday's win over the Pelicans. In his absence, Daniel Gafford should start at center, with Moussa Cisse carving out a larger role in the frontcourt.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Ruled out Friday
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Lively is out for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right knee sprain.
Lively is a late addition to the injury report, and the big man won't be an option Friday, thinning the team's depth in a frontcourt that was already missing Anthony Davis (calf). Daniel Gafford is expected to see an uptick in minutes with Lively out.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not starting Friday
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Lively is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Pelicans.
The Mavericks will start Daniel Gafford at center, and while Lively is expected to see action, he's still playing under a minutes restriction. That limit conspires against his fantasy upside, as he's yet to log more than 21 minutes in a single game this season.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Available after all
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Updating a previous report, Lively (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Pelicans, per Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com.
The Mavericks mistakenly ruled Lively out as a late scratch for Friday with a knee sprain, but the big man is suiting up after all. He should continue handling fewer than 20 minutes until Dallas loosens up his restrictions following an extended absence, per Kevin Gray Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.
Lively finished Wednesday's 113-111 loss to the Knicks with four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and three blocks across 18 minutes.
The 10 boards were a season high, and the three rejections also tied his best effort of the campaign, albeit in only six games played. Knee trouble has limited Lively's availability in the early going, but he appears to be rounding into form, and despite averaging only 15.7 minutes in three games since returning to action, he's produced 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Starting Wednesday
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Lively is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Knicks.
Lively took a maintenance day on the second leg of a back-to-back set Monday, but he'll be back in action Wednesday night. Joining him in the first unit will be Brandon Williams, Klay Thompson, Max Christie and P.J. Washington.
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