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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Undergoes surgery on right foot
Rotowire
Lively successfully underwent surgery on his right foot Sunday.
Lively sought out multiple opinions on his right foot, but it was ultimately determined that season-ending surgery was the best course of action for the third-year center, and he's expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season. Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell will continue to serve as the main big men for Dallas behind Anthony Davis in Lively's absence.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Set for season-ending surgery
Rotowire
Lively is slated to undergo season-ending surgery in the coming days to address lingering discomfort in his right foot, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Lively sought multiple opinions on his foot since suffering a setback in his last appearance Nov. 21, but doctors determined that surgery was the best course of action. The 21-year-old is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season. He made just seven appearances during his third NBA season, posting averages of 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per contest. Daniel Gafford is likely to have a higher minutes floor for the rest of the season with Lively out of the mix, and Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell could continue to see more opportunities in backup roles.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Considered out indefinitely
Rotowire
The Mavericks announced Thursday that Lively (foot) has no timetable for a return, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Lively is getting multiple opinions regarding the swelling and discomfort in his right foot. It sounds like the third-year center can be labeled as week-to-week until the next steps in his recovery are determined. Dallas should continue to lean on Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford (ankle) for the center minutes.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Still out
Rotowire
Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Heat.
Lively will miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a right foot injury, and he can be considered doubtful ahead of Friday's game against the Thunder. With the third-year center remaining on the shelf, Daniel Gafford (ankle) should continue to see increased run if he's cleared to play.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: To miss at least three games
Rotowire
Lively (foot) will miss the next three games and will be re-evaluated in seven-to-ten days, the Mavericks announced Tuesday.
This follows up a previous report from NBA reporter Marc Stein that indicated the Mavericks were fearful of the center missing extended time. Lively is currently being evaluated for swelling and discomfort in his right foot, and that's notable since it's the same foot he had offseason surgery on. This means Lively will be sidelined through Dec. 1, with an earliest possible return date of Dec. 3 against the Heat. Fantasy managers should brace for a longer absence, however. In the meantime, Daniel Gafford is likely to see a bump in fantasy appeal.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Could miss extended time
Rotowire
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, it is feared that the Mavericks could face an extended injury absence for Lively (foot).
Lively missed Monday's game against Miami for right foot injury management, but he may be dealing with something more severe based on this report. Lively has appeared in just seven games thus far after offseason foot surgery, and the center can't seem to stay on the floor. Fantasy managers will need to sit tight until more clarity is known.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Ruled out for Monday
Rotowire
Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Heat.
Lively will miss Monday's contest due to right foot injury management, marking his second consecutive absence. With the third-year center sidelined, Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell are candidates for increased minutes behind Daniel Gafford.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Lively (knee/rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
As expected, Lively will take a seat for the second half of Dallas' back-to-back set after posting four points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 18 minutes off the bench during Friday's win over the Pelicans. In his absence, Daniel Gafford should start at center, with Moussa Cisse carving out a larger role in the frontcourt.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Ruled out Friday
Rotowire
Lively is out for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right knee sprain.
Lively is a late addition to the injury report, and the big man won't be an option Friday, thinning the team's depth in a frontcourt that was already missing Anthony Davis (calf). Daniel Gafford is expected to see an uptick in minutes with Lively out.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not starting Friday
Rotowire
Lively is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Pelicans.
The Mavericks will start Daniel Gafford at center, and while Lively is expected to see action, he's still playing under a minutes restriction. That limit conspires against his fantasy upside, as he's yet to log more than 21 minutes in a single game this season.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Available after all
Rotowire
Updating a previous report, Lively (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Pelicans, per Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com.
The Mavericks mistakenly ruled Lively out as a late scratch for Friday with a knee sprain, but the big man is suiting up after all. He should continue handling fewer than 20 minutes until Dallas loosens up his restrictions following an extended absence, per Kevin Gray Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.
Lively finished Wednesday's 113-111 loss to the Knicks with four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and three blocks across 18 minutes.
The 10 boards were a season high, and the three rejections also tied his best effort of the campaign, albeit in only six games played. Knee trouble has limited Lively's availability in the early going, but he appears to be rounding into form, and despite averaging only 15.7 minutes in three games since returning to action, he's produced 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Lively is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Knicks.
Lively took a maintenance day on the second leg of a back-to-back set Monday, but he'll be back in action Wednesday night. Joining him in the first unit will be Brandon Williams, Klay Thompson, Max Christie and P.J. Washington.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Good to go Wednesday
Rotowire
Lively (knee) has been cleared to play Wednesday against the Knicks, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Lively was initially added to the injury report as probable and has since been given the green light to play after making it through pregame warmups. The big man has appeared in five games this season, averaging 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 15.8 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Lively (knee) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
After getting a maintenance day during Monday's loss to the Timberwolves, Lively is expected back in the rotation against New York. He's likely to have heavy restrictions moving forward, as the center has had serious trouble staying healthy. Moussa Cisse is expected to lose some steam with Daniel Gafford (ankle) also considered probable.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Monday
Rotowire
Lively (knee) is out for Monday's game against the Timberwolves, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Monday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, but despite seeing just 12 minutes Sunday, the Mavericks will hold Lively out as a precaution. Daniel Gafford (ankle) is also out, meaning the Mavericks could rely heavily on Moussa Cisse. Dwight Powell could be in line for more run as well.
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