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: 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.
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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.
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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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Monday
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Lively (knee) is out for Monday's game against the Timberwolves, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Monday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, but despite seeing just 12 minutes Sunday, the Mavericks will hold Lively out as a precaution. Daniel Gafford (ankle) is also out, meaning the Mavericks could rely heavily on Moussa Cisse. Dwight Powell could be in line for more run as well.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Makes defensive impact in return
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Lively (knee) notched four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, one steal and one block in 17 minutes during Friday's 133-127 double-overtime loss to the Clippers.
Cleared to play in his first game since Oct. 26 after completing his recovery from a sprained knee, Lively was under an 18-minute restriction Friday and wasn't able to help his team during either overtime period. However, he moved around well and made his mark on defense with a pair of counters, so his return can be viewed as a success. While Lively should eventually see his minutes ramp and may supplant Daniel Gafford as the team's starting center, expect the third-year big man to sit out at least one game of the Mavericks' upcoming back-to-back set Sunday versus the Trail Blazers and Monday versus the Timerwolves.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Facing minutes limit in return
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Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said that Lively (knee) will be limited to 15-to-18 minutes during Friday's game against the Clippers, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.
Lively is making his first appearance since Oct. 26 after missing nine consecutive games with a sprained knee. Given Lively's lengthy layoff, he'll have his minutes kept in check and will likely be brought off the bench while Daniel Gafford draws the start at center.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Out again
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Lively (knee) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Suns, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Lively earned a questionable tag for Wednesday's contest -- his first since going down with a knee sprain nine games ago. However, he isn't ready to return. Daniel Gafford, Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell should handle most of the center work Wednesday. Lively's next chance to play will come Friday against the Clippers.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Questionable for Wednesday
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Lively (knee) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Suns.
The questionable tag is a positive sign for Lively, who has missed the Mavericks' last eight games due to a right knee sprain. If the 21-year-old center is ultimately ruled out for Wednesday's contest, Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell are candidates for an uptick in minutes, especially if Anthony Davis (calf) is downgraded from questionable to out.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Out through weekend
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Head coach Jason Kidd said Wednesday that Lively (knee) is doing on-court work and will hopefully be back by next week, Christian Clark of the Athletic reports.
Lively has already missed five straight games with a sprained right knee, and he'll miss at least two more due to the issue. Kidd's comments indicate he'll be sidelined for both legs of Dallas's back-to-back that begins Friday. After that, Lively's next chance to play will come Monday against Milwaukee.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Remaining out vs. Detroit
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Lively (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pistons.
Lively will miss his third consecutive game due to a right knee sprain, and his next opportunity to play will come Monday against the Rockets. Dwight Powell is likely to see an uptick in playing time, especially if Daniel Gafford (ankle) is downgraded from questionable to out.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Ruled out vs. Indiana
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Lively (knee) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Lively will miss his second consecutive contest due to a sprained right knee. His next opportunity to play will come Saturday against Detroit. Anthony Davis will likely shoulder the responsibilities at center Wednesday, with Naji Marshall being in line for more playing time at power forward.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not expected to play Wednesday
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Lively (knee) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Pacers,
Lively is expected to miss his second consecutive contest due to a sprained right knee. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, his next opportunity to play will come Saturday against the Pistons.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Monday
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Lively (knee) won't play Monday against the Thunder, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
With Lively hitting the sidelines, Anthony Davis will likely slide over to center, which could allow D'Angelo Russell to finally move into the first unit. The Mavs play again Wednesday against the Pacers, and for now, Lively should be considered questionable for that one.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Doubtful for Monday
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Lively (knee) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Thunder.
Monday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, and it sounds like Lively is going to be held out. His injury is being described as a left knee contusion, so it sounds relatively minor. With Daniel Gafford (ankle) considered doubtful, the Mavericks could slide Anthony Davis to center and utilize some smaller lineup combos.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Fourth-year option picked up
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The Mavericks exercised the fourth-year team option on Lively's contract Monday.
No surprise here, as the move keeps Lively under team control until through 2026-27. The 2023 first-rounder is projected to play a key role down low for Dallas moving forward, and Lively could dominate the center minutes early on this season if Daniel Gafford can't get past his ankle sprain.
Lively finished with 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 22 minutes during Saturday's preseason loss to the Hornets.
Lively turned in his best performance of the preseason, producing on both ends of the floor. With Daniel Gafford sidelined due to an ankle injury, Lively has an opportunity to establish himself as the primary center, a role the coaching staff would love to see him embrace. While he is unlikely to play what might be considered typical starter's minutes, Lively should still be a good source of boards and blocks, while also scoring efficiently.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Cleared for training camp
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Lively (foot) has been cleared for training camp, Joey Mistreta reported Monday.
Lively underwent surgery July 15 to clean up bone spurs in his right foot, but there have been no reported restrictions ahead of camp. That being said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Mavericks ease him back during the preseason. With Anthony Davis expected to start at power forward, Lively is the presumed starting center with Daniel Gafford right behind him.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Undergoes foot surgery
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Lively underwent surgery Tuesday to clean up bone spurs in his right foot, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Charania reports that Lively is expected to be ready for training camp, though this is an unfortunate setback for him as it could mess up his offseason training regimen. Lively was limited to 36 regular-season games in 2024-25 in which he posted averages of 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks in 23.1 minutes. With Anthony Davis likely to play some center and Daniel Gafford fresh off a contract extension, there is quite a logjam in Dallas' frontcourt.
