Mavs Injury Updates: Kyrie Irving OUT for Christmas Day vs. Suns; Dereck Lively II Back?
As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to take on the Phoenix Suns, Luka Doncic's injury-plagued squad could be getting some big help returning to action.
Although Doncic's co-star Kyrie Irving and key role player Josh Green remain out with a heel contusion and elbow sprain respectively, breakout rookie big man Dereck Lively II has been listed as being questionable after missing the last four games with an ankle sprain.
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Irving obviously means a lot to what the Mavs are trying to accomplish this season, but an argument could be made that Lively has been Dallas' second-most important player after Doncic. The Mavs are 1-5 when Lively doesn't play, and the only win came on Saturday night with a 144-119 blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs.
In 23 games, Lively is averaging 8.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes while shooting a league-best 73.4 percent from the field. As important as it is for Doncic to have another high-level backcourt partner, it's even more important for him to have a versatile, rim-rolling center that is capable of being a defensive anchor as well. That's exactly what Lively is, and the Mavs have seen the immediate benefits.
After forming a 'Big 3' consisting of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns have been disappointing with a 14-14 record heading into the Christmas Day game with the Mavs. Dallas, on the other hand, has done well at 17-12, especially given all the injuries that have occurred. We'll see if Doncic, and potentially Lively, can keep the Suns down by winning on their home court on Christmas.
