Derek Lively II to miss at least 4 weeks with stress fracture in right ankle

The Dallas Mavericks recently announced bad news that center Derek Lively II will be out for at least four weeks due to a stress fracture in his right ankle. The team expects to re-evaluate his injury in a month.

The 20-year-old Lively joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2023 to start his professional basketball career. However, he suffered an injury again in his second season, which was undoubtedly a major blow to the team and his personal development.

Despite the constant injuries this season, Lively's performance in good health is impressive. Lively played 87 times in two seasons, averaging 8.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, with a shooting percentage of 73%. Such efficiency makes him an important pillar of the team's interior, and fans are full of expectations for his future.

Lively's absence means the team will rely more on Daniel Gafford to guard the interior. Gafford has performed steadily this season, playing 41 times, averaging 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, forming an effective rotation combination with Lively.

As the champion of the Western Conference last season, the Dallas Mavericks have experienced ups and downs in this season. Currently, the Dallas Mavericks are ranked 7th in the Western Conference. As the season enters a critical stage, the Dallas Mavericks' injury problem has become a major hidden danger for them to impact the playoffs.

In addition to Lively, the Dallas Mavericks also announced that a total of four players will miss the game due to injuries. How to maintain competitiveness amid the wave of injuries will become a difficult problem that the Dallas Mavericks must solve next.