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.
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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.
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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.
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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: 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.
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.
