Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II was unable to finish Sunday’s 116-107 Game 3 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves due to injury. The 20-year-old was forced to leave the game after taking a vicious knee to the head in what was a truly scary moment for both Lively and the Mavs.
True enough, it has now been confirmed that Dallas will be shorthanded for Game 4 on Tuesday after it was reported that Lively will be unavailable to play.
Dallas Mavericks News: Dereck Lively II Ruled Out for Game 4
It is a bit concerning that Lively has been ruled out more than 24 hours before Tuesday’s tip-off. This speaks volumes of the severity of the injury, which has now been diagnosed as a neck issue.
League insider Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sport broke the news on Monday evening:
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) will not play in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the WCF, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/WIaKwkET3L
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 27, 2024
The silver lining here is that Lively did not suffer a concussion, which would have sidelined him for a significant amount of time.
Maxi Kleber Nearing Return
It’s not all bad news for Dallas, though. According to NBA guru Marc Stein, Maxi Kleber, who has been out of action for nearly a month now due to a shoulder injury, could be in line for a surprise return in the Timberwolves series:
Lively out for Game 4 … but a progressing-faster-than-expected Maxi Kleber has a shot to play limited minutes for the first time since May 3, league sources say.
Final determination to be made Tuesday. Kleber (shoulder) listed as questionable.
More: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq https://t.co/Ns2cnULXi9
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 27, 2024
As Stein indicated, Kleber is still likely to sit out Game 4, but the fact that he is closing in on his return to action is an undeniably positive development for the Mavs and their hopes to not only advance to the NBA Finals but to also go all the way and win it all this season.
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