Dallas Mavs Release New Dereck Lively II Injury Update vs. Houston Rockets

The Mavs released a new update on Dereck Lively II's lower back contusion ahead of Tuesday's matchup against the Rockets.

DALLAS — During the Dallas Mavericks' loss against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, the team played without rookie Dereck Lively II in the lineup. He was sidelined due to a lower back contusion due to a scary fall on a failed alley-oop exchange against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Lively participated in Monday's practice and is considered questionable to play in Tuesday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. 

"Lively went through practice today [and] was good," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of Lively. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow. We'll list [him] as questionable."

The Mavs quickly listed Lively as out on Friday's injury report, the day before their loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. The center production combined for only four points and seven rebounds, with Richaun Holmes and Dwight Powell playing the center spot before going to small ball lineups. 

"I think when you look at our center position this evening, I think we were 0-4 [from the field]," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "That's not what D Live [Dereck Lively II] does. He can put the ball in the basket, but [Richaun] Holmes and DP [Dwight Powell] were good. We just couldn't capitalize and get those guys some shots that they had made here in the past."

Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic praised Lively for making an impact despite facing high expectations despite being 19 in his rookie campaign. The Slovenian superstar sees Lively as having "amazing potential" in his NBA career with his impact missed against the Clippers. 

"[We missed him] a lot, but that's the thing, he's 19 years old. I think many people on our team expect a lot from him, and being a rookie is hard," Doncic said of Lively. "Obviously, but like I say, he has amazing potential, and you can see it, even in his first season, he's made a big, big impact for us."

Mavs Give Dereck Lively II Injury Update Ahead of Clippers Matchup

Lively has averaged 8.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 14 games this season. At 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan, he's provided a needed interior presence as a rim protector and paint finisher early in his career.