Lively contributed seven points (2-5 FG, 3-6 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 win over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Daniel Gafford started this game, but he was ineffective in just nine minutes of action and left the game briefly due to a back injury. Lively had more success, obviously, but he didn't get a ton of burn either, as Maxi Kleber and P.J. Washington soaked up the bulk of the frontcourt minutes. The logjam at center is far from ideal for fantasy purposes for both Gafford and Lively.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Lively (knee) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Clippers.
Coach Jason Kidd said Friday that Lively was trending in the right direction and was on track to play in Sunday's series opener, so this is not entirely surprising, though it does boost the team's depth in the frontcourt. Lively should see decent minutes off the bench, although Daniel Gafford is expected to be the starting center, as was the case down the stretch in the regular season.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: On track to play Sunday
Rotowire
Coach Jason Kidd said Friday that Lively (knee) is trending in the right direction and is on track to play in Sunday's Game 1 against the Clippers, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Lively missed the final eight regular-season games due to a right knee sprain but returned to full practices this week and has avoided a setback thus far. If available, the rookie will likely handle a backup role behind Daniel Gafford, but Lively has proven to be an excellent fit in Dallas and should still play around 20 minutes per game in the playoffs.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Full go at practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Lively (knee) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Lively missed the final eight regular-season games due to a right knee sprain, but it looks like he'll have a chance to play in Dallas' opening-round series against the Clippers. However, the Mavericks still have a few days before they release their official injury report, and we won't get clarity on Lively's status until then.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Could miss extended period
Rotowire
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Tuesday that Lively (knee) "could be out up two weeks," Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Lively had already been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game at Golden State with right knee soreness, but the timeline provided by Kidd suggests that the rookie center could be in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season. For whatever length of time Lively is sidelined, Daniel Gafford could see a boost in playing time as the Mavericks' starting center, while Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell may also see expanded roles in Kidd's rotation.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Questionable to play Tuesday
Rotowire
Lively is questionable for Tuesday's game against Golden State due to right knee soreness.
Lively was forced to exit Sunday's win over Houston in the first half after suffering a right leg injury, but he appears to have dodged any serious affliction. That being said, if he's unable to suit up Tuesday, Daniel Gafford could see an uptick from the 24.5 minute workload he has averaged across his last 10 appearances.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Lively is out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Rockets due to a right lower leg injury, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Lively suffered an injury to his leg in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game shortly after halftime. He concludes Sunday's contest with two points (1-1 FG), two rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 13 minutes. The severity of the injury isn't clear at this point, but it was reassuring that he was able to return to the bench and watch the remainder of the game. He should be considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Thrashes Chicago
Rotowire
Lively (personal) produced 22 points (11-12 FG), seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals across 20 minutes during Monday's 127-92 win over the Bulls.
Back in action after a one-game absence due to a personal matter, Lively came off the bench for his second appearance in a row, but that didn't stop him and starter Daniel Gafford to feast on the opposing centers. Lively and Gafford combined for 42 points on 20-for-21 shooting from the field, while both centers swatted two shots apiece. Gafford played 23 minutes compared to LIvely's 20, but against subpar opponents, that's enough playing time for both to turn in useful lines.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not on injury report
Rotowire
Lively (personal) is absent from the Mavericks' injury report ahead of Monday's matchup with the Warriors.
Lively missed Saturday's game against the Pistons for personal reasons. He rejoined Dallas for Sunday's practice, which means this progression in his status makes sense. Barring any unforeseen setback, the big man should be available for his usual workload.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Listed out for personal reasons
Rotowire
Lively (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pistons due to personal reasons.
Lively appeared to suffer a calf issue late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's win over the Heat, but the injury doesn't appear on Dallas' official injury report. The rookie's next chance to suit up will come Monday in Chicago, while Daniel Gafford should start at center Saturday. Further clarity on Lively's status moving forward should surface over the weekend.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Listed as available for Sunday
Rotowire
Lively (nose) is available for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Lively showed up on Dallas' injury report, but he's listed as available. The rookie has appeared in six straight games (five starts) since returning to action following a broken nose, averaging 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 19.2 minutes during that stretch.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Good to go Tuesday
Rotowire
Lively (nose) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's game against Cleveland.
Along with Luka Doncic (nose), Maxi Kleber (nose) and Josh Green (elbow), Lively was one of four Mavericks listed as probable heading into Tuesday who will ultimately get the green light to play. Though he's started in his last two appearances following his recent return from a broken nose, Lively has been limited to 16- and 14-minute workloads while the Mavericks have turned the center spot into more of a rotation that also includes Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber and P.J. Washington. Assuming Lively continues to see less than 20 minutes per game on a regular basis, he'll profile as more of a 14-team than a 12-team fantasy option.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Expected to play
Rotowire
Lively (nose) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Lively has appeared in three straight games since returning from his nasal fracture. He's played an average of 15.8 minutes in that stretch, posting 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Officially active
Rotowire
Lively (nose) will play Sunday versus Indiana, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Lively, Luka Doncic (nose) and Maxi Kleber (nose) have all gained clearance to play in advance of Sunday's game against Indiana. Sunday will mark the second occasion that Dallas' frontcourt has been at full strength with the new additions of Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Starting Thursday
Rotowire
Lively will be in the starting lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Suns, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Lively will replace Daniel Gafford in the first unit for Thursday's game, and it'll be interesting to see if this is something that lasts or if it's just a matchup-based decision from head coach Jason Kidd. Joining Lively in the first unit will be Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Josh Green and P.J. Washington.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Solid in platoon role with Gafford
Rotowire
Lively (nose) recorded eight points (3-5 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four blocks and one assist in 17 minutes in Wednesday's 116-93 win over the Spurs.
Lively came off the bench and was on a minutes restriction in his return from a seven-game absence due to a nasal fracture for which he required a procedure, but thanks largely to his blocks production, he was able to deliver a quality fantasy line. Head coach Jason Kidd had previously suggested last week that Lively would reclaim the starting role once healthy, but it's unclear if those plans have changed in light of how trade-deadline pickup Daniel Gafford (10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one block in 23 minutes Wednesday) has performed since being acquired by Dallas. Even if Lively eventually displaces Gafford as the starter, the two could end up working in a roughly even timeshare at center that would put a cap on the fantasy value of both players.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Good to go Wednesday
Rotowire
Lively (nose) is available for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Lively has been upgraded from questionable to available Wednesday after missing Dallas' last seven contests with a nasal injury. However, the rookie big man will operate under a minutes restriction, so he could serve as Dallas' backup center to Daniel Gafford.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Lively (nose) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Thunder.
Lively's absence streak will extend to six games Saturday due to a broken nose. The rookie center's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Washington.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Strong showing in Friday's win
Rotowire
Lively contributed nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Friday's 148-143 victory over the Hawks.
The rookie center just missed recording his eighth double-double while posting his most rejections since he swatted away a career-high seven shots against the Thunder on Dec. 2. Since returning from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury, Lively has pulled down double-digit boards three times in five games, averaging 9.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game while shooting an eye-popping 80.8 percent from the floor.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Grabs 12 boards in return
Rotowire
Lively (ankle) recorded six points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes in Monday's 125-120 win over the Pelicans.
Lively's minutes were somewhat capped after he picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, but the Mavericks were presumably looking to manage his playing time to some degree anyway since the rookie was making his return from a five-game absence due to a left ankle sprain. On a fortunate note, Lively took back his starting spot from Dwight Powell and was highly active on the glass during his time on the floor. Lively makes for an appealing pickup in any 12-team leagues where he may have been dropped while he was sidelined with the injury.
