the Dallas Mavericks Say center Derek Lively II He has a stress fracture in his right ankle and will be re-evaluated in a month.
The injury announced on Wednesday is the latest setback for a promising young player who has struggled with injury problems in both seasons.
Lively has been sidelined for the past three games with what the team said was a sprained right ankle. He has missed 11 games overall this season due to a variety of injuries.
The 20-year-old former Duke player was limited to 55 games due to injuries as a rookie in 2023-24 while also helping the Mavs reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.
Lively’s long-term absence comes with the star Luka Doncic He is still likely weeks away from returning from a left calf strain. The injury led to Doncic being sidelined for 13 matches.
Dallas, the defending Western Conference champion, entered Wednesday night’s meeting with Minnesota ranked seventh in the West.
When healthy, Lively was dynamic and productive, averaging 8.9 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 73% from the field in 87 games over his two seasons.
Lively shared time as a starter with Daniel GaffordWho is averaging 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 41 games this season.
Associated Press report.
Derek Lively II
Dallas Mavericks
National Basketball Association
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