Blue Devil Country

Masked Duke Basketball Pro Passes Test in Return From Injury

The Mavericks benefit from 2022-23 Duke basketball one-and-done Dereck Lively II being back on the court.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

On Wednesday night, a little more than two weeks since suffering a nasal fracture at the hands of Orlando Magic big man and fellow Duke basketball product Wendell Carter Jr., Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II returned to action in a 116-93 home win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Lively, who came off the board No. 12 overall at the NBA Draft and now sits at No. 7 on the Kia Rookie Ladder, tallied eight points, five rebounds, one assist, and four blocks in the contest without committing a single foul or turnover.

RELATED: List of Duke's All-Time First-Round NBA Draft Picks

The 7-foot-1 center, a full-time starter before the injury, shot 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-2 at the foul line despite the distraction from having to wear a large protective mask. And he posted a game-high plus-minus of +27 across his 17 minutes off the bench.

Through 37 appearances, Dereck Lively II is averaging 9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting an off-the-charts 73.6 percent from the field. According to StatMuse, the mere 20-year-old leads the league in field goal percentage this season in every quarter except the first. Note the rise from one quarter to the next:

Wednesday night marked the sixth straight win by the Mavericks (32-23), now No. 7 in the Western Conference. Their other NBA Blue Devil, guard Kyrie Irving, led all scorers with 34 points in his team-high 33 minutes as a starter, shooting a blistering 15-for-22 from the field while adding nine boards, seven dimes, two steals, and one block.

As for the Spurs' Duke basketball treasure, starting floor general Tre Jones had a cold shooting night, including an 0-for-4 clip from three, on his way recording only four points, four rebounds, and two assists, albeit with zero turnovers in his 20 minutes. San Antonio (11-44) remains at the bottom of the West standings.

List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more updates on NBA Blue Devils and other Duke basketball news.

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Home/NBA Blue Devils