Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Due for checkup in one month
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The Mavericks announced Wednesday that Lively will be re-evaluated in four weeks after being diagnosed with a right ankle stress fracture.
Though Lively is due to be examined by doctors again in approximately one month, fantasy managers shouldn't expect the second-year center to be ready to play right away, even if his re-evaluation yields good news. Shams Charania of ESPN reported earlier Wednesday that Lively's injury is expected to keep him sidelined for around 2-to-3 months in total, making him a drop candidate in most redraft leagues with limited injured reserve spots. Daniel Gafford has started each of the last four games in Lively's stead and has played 30-plus minutes on three occasions while averaging 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, 2.3 assists and 0.8 steals.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Out 2-to-3 months with foot fracture
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Lively was diagnosed Wednesday with a small fracture in his right foot and is expected to miss 2-to-3 months, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After a slow start to the season, Lively appeared to have established himself as the Mavericks' clear No. 1 center ahead of Daniel Gafford while averaging 26.8 minutes per game over Dallas' first six games of the new year before exiting early in a Jan. 14 loss to the Nuggets with what was labeled as a right ankle sprain. Lively proceeded to miss the next three games, and after further examination, he was determined to have suffered structural damage to his foot. With Lively now in store for an absence that looks set to stretch into at least late March, Gafford should be in for an extended run as the team's starting center, making him a must-roster option in every format. Gafford has averaged 22.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.3 assists in 28.0 minutes over the last three contests while Lively has been sidelined.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Iffy against Minnesota
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Lively (ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Lively is in danger of missing his fourth straight contest Wednesday due to a right ankle sprain. Daniel Gafford will likely continue to receive increased playing time if Lively is ruled out yet again.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Monday
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Lively (ankle) will not play Monday against the Hornets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Lively will miss his third game in a row, but he's at least trending in the right direction -- he was upgraded to questionable for the first time since his injury prior to this update. With Dwight Powell (hip) also out, Daniel Gafford and Maxi Kleber are likely to soak up the bulk of the center minutes.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Questionable for Monday
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Lively (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Hornets.
The questionable tag is an upgrade for Lively after the center missed the past two games for Dallas. If Lively is able to return to action, it's likely that Daniel Gafford will make way back to the bench.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Out again Friday
Rotowire
Lively (ankle) will not play Friday against the Thunder.
Lively will miss his second game in a row, and the fact that he's getting ruled out a day in advance suggests that he's not day-to-day at the moment. His next chance to play will be Monday against Charlotte. Daniel Gafford could continue to see a spike in fantasy appeal in the meantime after putting up 27 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes against the Pelicans on Wednesday.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Ruled out for Wednesday
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Lively (ankle) will not play Wednesday against the Pelicans.
This is an expected update from the Mavericks, but fantasy managers will have to wait for more clarity regarding the severity of his sprain -- it was previously reported that X-rays came back negative. With Lively out Wednesday, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell are candidates to see increased minutes.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: X-rays negative on ankle
Rotowire
X-rays on Lively's right ankle returned negative after the center was removed in the first quarter of Tuesday's 118-99 loss to the Nuggets, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Lively was diagnosed with a sprained right ankle upon exiting the contest, and the X-rays confirmed that the second-year center avoided any structural damage. Even so, the severity of Lively's sprain isn't yet known, so the Mavericks haven't offered up a clear timeline for his return to action. Even if Lively's sprain is of the Grade 1 variety, he'll most likely miss Wednesday's game against the Pelicans. Daniel Gafford would presumably start Wednesday in Lively's place, while Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell could also fill out minutes at center.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't return Tuesday
Rotowire
Lively has been ruled out for the remainder of Tuesday's game versus the Nuggets due to a right ankle sprain. He will finish the contest with four points (2-3 FG) and one block in four minutes.
Lively sprained his ankle early in the first quarter and was replaced by Daniel Gafford with 8:04 remaining in the period. The severity of the injury won't be known until Lively undergoes further testing, but he could face an uphill battle to gain clearance for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans. Gafford, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell are likely to cover most of the minutes at center for the remainder of Tuesday's contest, and any additional games that Lively might miss.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Heads to locker room
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Lively exited Tuesday's game versus the Nuggets with 8:04 remaining in the first quarter due to an apparent right ankle injury, Noah Weber of TheSmokingCuban.com reports.
Lively tallied four points (2-3 FG) and one block in four minutes before exiting Tuesday's contest early. If the second-year center is unable to return to action, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell could all receive increased playing time.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Blows up with double-double
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Lively ended with 21 points (9-13 FG, 3-3 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 35 minutes during Thursday's 117-111 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Lively held down the frontcourt effectively, racking up a great line while containing Deandre Ayton's production. Donovan Clingan has a bit more success against Lively, but the 2023 first-round pick was nonetheless impressive. Daniel Gafford managed only 10 minutes during Thursday's win, so it appears that Lively is strengthening his hold on the starting job.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Efficient double-double in loss
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Lively dropped 14 points (7-11 FG), grabbed 12 boards, blocked three shots and dished one assist in 33 minutes of play during Monday's 119-104 loss to the Grizzlies.
The sophomore big man recorded his sixth double-double of the season and tied his second-highest marks for blocks and assists while he was at it. In his five games previous, Lively had averaged 7.2 points and 8.4 boards. He'll look to keep building on Monday's performance against the Lakers on Tuesday.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Full-go against Cleveland
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Lively won't have a minutes restriction in Friday's game versus the Cavaliers, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Lively returned to action Wednesday after missing three straight games with a hip injury and logged just 20 minutes. However, Lively will now be available to play closer to the 26.4 minutes per contest he was averaging in his previous 10 appearances.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Well-rounded line in return
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Lively (hip) finished with eight points (4-5 FG), six rebounds, six assists, four blocks and one steal across 20 minutes Wednesday in the Mavericks' 110-99 loss to the Rockets.
Though he took back his usual spot in the starting five in his return from a three-game absence due to a left hip contusion, Lively ended up seeing lighter minutes than usual while Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd deployed a deep center rotation that included Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber. Powell likely won't be featured in the rotation moving forward, while Kleber could be needed to play more minutes at power forward after P.J. Washington (knee) sat out the entire second half of Wednesday's contest. With that in mind, expect Lively's playing time to pick up as he becomes further removed from the hip injury, and despite getting more limited run than usual against the Rockets, the second-year big man was still able to come away with a solid all-around fantasy line.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Set to return against Houston
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Lively (hip) will be available for Wednesday's game against the Rockets.
After missing the last three games with a hip contusion, Lively will return to the floor for the Mavericks on Wednesday. Head coach Jason Kidd said Lively will have a 15-to-18-minute restriction in his return against Houston.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Listed as questionable again
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Lively (hip) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Rockets.
Lively has missed three straight games due to a left hip contusion and was listed as questionable ahead of two of those three absences. If the youngster can't suit up, Daniel Gafford should continue to start at center.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't go Monday
Rotowire
Lively (hip) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Kings.
Lively will miss his third consecutive outing due to a left hip contusion, and his next chance to return will come Wednesday against the Rockets. Daniel Gafford should draw another start, though Maxi Kleber and Olivier-Maxence Prosper are candidates for an uptick in playing time with Naji Marshall (suspension) also sidelined.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Questionable to play Monday
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Lively (hip) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Kings, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
A left hip bruise has forced Lively to miss the Mavericks' last two games, but he could make his return Monday. If he remains out, Daniel Gafford would likely start at center while Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber would both be in line for more minutes off the bench.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Out again
Rotowire
Lively (hip) won't play in Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Lively will miss a second straight contest due to a left hip bruise. Daniel Gafford started and logged 29 minutes in place of Lively on Friday and should remain in the first unit Saturday. With P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall suspended, Dwight Powell and Markieff Morris could also take on expanded roles.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Friday vs. Phoenix
Rotowire
Lively (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Suns, Mark Followill of Bally Sports Southwest reports.
Lively is working through a left hip contusion, which is serious enough for him to be sidelined for Friday's Western Conference clash. Daniel Gafford will likely slide into the starting lineup due to Lively's injury, while Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell should see increased playing time off the Mavericks' bench. Lively's next opportunity to play will be Saturday against Portland.
