Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II was ruled out of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals after taking an inadvertent knee to the back of his head from Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns.
Incident Details
During the second quarter of Sunday night’s game, Dereck Lively II fell as Mike Conley was driving for a missed shot. While pursuing an offensive rebound, Towns’ knee inadvertently hit the back of Dereck Lively II ‘s head, causing his head to snap forward. The 20-year-old rookie stayed on the court holding his head and appeared dazed. He spent several minutes being helped off the court and then taken to the locker room.
Lively’s Impact and Injury Update
The incident caused Lively to suffer a sprained neck, and he ruled out for the remainder of the game. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd did not have an update on Lively’s condition following Dallas’ 116-107 victory, which gave the team a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams will play Game 4 on Tuesday night in Dallas.
Report: Tests returned OK on Dereck Lively II’s neck but his availability for Game 4 remains unclear, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/cxxAueDuz1
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) May 27, 2024
Lively has been a significant contributor for the Mavericks in the playoffs. He was 12-for-12 from the field in the series, including three makes in Game 3 before his injury. His absence leaves a notable gap in the Mavericks’ lineup, as Dallas is already without center-forward Maxi Kleber, who separated a shoulder in the second round.
Player and Team Reactions
Star guard Luka Doncic emphasized Lively’s importance to the team, saying, “He helps us so much in these playoffs and the regular season. We’re going to miss him if he can’t play.”
Lively’s injury forced Dwight Powell into action. Powell, who had played less than 15 minutes in the postseason before Game 3, managed to contribute two points and two rebounds in eight minutes. Despite the challenges, the Mavericks closed the game strong, led by Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who each scored 33 points to secure the win.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks are now one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years. However, Lively’s injury adds to their challenges as they prepare for Game 4. The team will need to rely on other players to step up in his absence and maintain their momentum.
As the Mavericks continue their playoff run, the health and availability of key players like Lively will be crucial in their quest for the championship. The team and fans alike will be hoping for a positive update on Lively’s condition as they aim to close out the series against the Timberwolves.
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