Dallas Mavs Give Dereck Lively II Injury Update Ahead of Los Angeles Clippers Matchup
LOS ANGELES — The Dallas Mavericks have received strong production from Dereck Lively II early in his rookie season. After suffering an injury in the Mavs' victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, it remains to be seen when Lively will return to the lineup.
The Mavs have ruled out Lively (lower back contusion) for Saturday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. He sustained the injury after falling hard on his back after a failed alley-oop exchange with Luka Doncic, causing him to be ruled out for the remainder of the game after being helped off the court.
As injuries have started to add up, the Mavs will now be without Lively and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) in the short term. Information about re-evaluating Kleber's injury has yet to be released, making a return timetable unclear.
Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II.
Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images
Kleber's injury occurred on Nov. 1 during the Mavs' win over the Chicago Bulls. He attempted to play against the Clippers on Nov. 10 but could not give it a go after being considered questionable to play before being ruled out. The expectation at the time was for him to be re-evaluated in "a couple of weeks."
"He tried to play on it, and it was still bothering him, so we're going to give him extended time to heal," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said on Nov. 11. "He will be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks."
The Mavs leaned on Richaun Holmes as the first center off the bench against the Lakers, a change from having Dwight Powell filling that role. Holmes made the most of his opportunity, recording four points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one block.
"We talked about that in the locker room, I thought [Holmes] played great for us on both ends, both offensively and defensively," Kidd said of Holmes. "Again, we were going with him instead of [Powell] tonight, and I thought he responded in a positive way. He helped, he really helped us win this game tonight."
Holmes and Powell will surely be needed as the Mavs play without Lively and Kleber. The team also has small ball options to utilize as they've shown to do at times during this season, between Derrick Jones Jr. and Grant Williams as options.
More information about Lively's status is expected to come closer to when the Mavs tipoff against the Clippers. Check back with DallasBasketball.com for more updates.
