Foot woes sideline Lively II again, deepening the Mavericks' injury woes and frontcourt uncertainty as they navigate a challenging season.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks’ already depleted frontcourt absorbed another major blow Tuesday, announcing that center Dereck Lively II will miss at least the next three games as he undergoes evaluation for renewed swelling and discomfort in his right foot.
The team said it expects to offer a firmer timeline for his return in seven to 10 days, extending what has become a familiar cycle of interruptions for the 21-year-old. Lively has appeared in just seven games this season, averaging 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 points and 1.9 assists while playing under strict minute limitations as he worked back from a right knee sprain.
His usage has reflected that caution: Lively has logged fewer than 20 minutes in six of his seven appearances and has been held to a 15–18 minute restriction in recent outings. The new foot discomfort now halts that gradual ramp-up and forces the Mavericks to reassess both his availability and their thinning frontcourt.
Lively’s durability concerns date back to his arrival in Dallas. He played 55 games as a rookie during the team’s run to the NBA Finals, then just 36 games last season while managing a stress fracture in the same foot currently under evaluation. The Mavericks had hoped this season would bring stability after offseason surgery, but setbacks have continued to reshape those plans.
The loss comes at a time when Dallas can least afford it. The Mavericks entered Tuesday at 5–14, relying heavily on makeshift rotations while waiting for key pieces to heal. Lively’s absence again leaves the team without its intended defensive anchor and lob threat, forcing additional burdens on a roster already asked to stretch itself thin.
Some relief may be approaching. Anthony Davis, sidelined the last 14 games with a left calf strain, is expected to practice on Wednesday as part of his ongoing ramp-up. His return would ease the interior load, but the Mavericks have yet to set a firm date for when he will rejoin the lineup. Kyrie Irving remains out indefinitely after tearing his ACL last March.
Lively’s latest setback creates another period of uncertainty for an organization that envisioned him as a central long-term piece — but has rarely had the chance to see him fully available. For now, Dallas must again navigate a stretch of games without its young center, hoping the evaluation process brings clarity rather than another prolonged absence.
And as the Mavericks await updates, their season continues to hinge on injuries as much as results — with Lively’s status now the latest critical variable in a year that has offered few moments of stability.