Lively registered five points (2-4 FG, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, five assists and one block in 31 minutes during Tuesday's 118-104 loss to Oklahoma City.
Lively was moved to the bench for the start of the second half in favor of Daniel Gafford, but the former still saw a much larger workload. Lively recorded at least five assists for the third time in his career and posted double-digit rebounds for the seventh time this season. He's on pace to record 10th-round value in nine-category formats for the season due to efficient shooting with strong rebounding and shot-blocking.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Strong double-double in return
Rotowire
Lively closed Tuesday's 121-116 victory over Memphis with 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-7 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 32 minutes.
Lively returned from a one-game absence, playing a season-high 32 minutes. He also recorded a season-best 17 points, tallying his fourth double-double. Although the Mavericks have a more than capable backup in Daniel Gafford, there is a chance coach Jason Kidd is now prepared to lean into Lively a little more. While both should continue to play meaningful roles, Lively is the logical choice to be given the majority of the minutes given his trajectory.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Iffy to play Tuesday vs. Memphis
Rotowire
Lively (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Grizzlies, Mark Followill of Bally Sports Southwest reports.
Lively was sidelined for Sunday's game against Portland due to a right knee injury he suffered late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's clash against Utah. Daniel Gafford would be in line to start at center for a second straight game if Lively is unable to play, while Maxi Kleber would see an uptick in playing time off the pine.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Lively has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right knee hyperextension.
Lively left Saturday's win over Utah late in the fourth quarter, and while he returned to the bench, he never reentered the game. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against Memphis. In Lively's absence, Daniel Gafford will likely move into the starting lineup, while Maxi Kleber is a candidate for increased minutes off the bench.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Iffy against New York
Rotowire
Lively (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Knicks.
Lively left Dallas' most recent contest early due to an illness and could be forced to sit out Wednesday. If Lively is unable to suit up against New York, Daniel Gafford would likely draw the start.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Won't return Monday
Rotowire
Lively will not return to Monday's game against the Hawks due to an illness.
Lively started the game and was able to play through the first half, during which he posted two points (0-2 FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 11 minutes. With the second-year big man sidelined, the Mavericks will likely turn to Daniel Gafford and Maxi Kleber at center the rest of the way.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Iffy to return Monday
Rotowire
Lively is questionable to return during Monday's game against the Hawks due to an illness, Mavericks beat reporter Landon Thomas reports.
Daniel Gafford started the second half with Lively remaining in the locker room. If the second-year big man is unable to return, Gafford and Maxi Kleber will likely both see an uptick in playing time.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Will remain in starting role
Rotowire
Lively will remain in the starting role "for the next couple of games," head coach Jason Kidd told media, including Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life, in his post-game press conference following Saturday's win over the Spurs. "We'll see how D Live handles these next couple of games as a starter, and then we'll figure out who will start after that. But, D Live has been great."
Lively got the start in Saturday's win over the Spurs and posted seven points, four rebounds, two assists and four blocks across 20 minutes. Even though Daniel Gafford outplayed him with a 22-point, seven-rebound, three-block effort in only 18 minutes, it seems Lively will stay with the first unit for now. There's no timetable for Kidd to make a definitive decision on who will be the starting center going forward -- assuming he'll make one at some point.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Getting starting nod vs. Jazz
Rotowire
Lively will enter the starting lineup in Thursday's game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
The 20-year-old will replace Daniel Gafford in the starting five after a solid return from a right shoulder sprain in Tuesday's loss to Golden State, during which Lively recorded 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-7 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block across 24 minutes. The big man will likely still split minutes with Gafford, and the two should both receive significant playing time with P.J. Washington (knee) out.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Splits minutes with Gafford in return
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) recorded 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-7 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block across 24 minutes during Tuesday's 120-117 loss to Golden State.
Back in action after missing the Mavericks' previous four games with a right shoulder sprain, Lively turned in solid numbers while sharing the minutes at center evenly with starter Daniel Gafford. Though Dallas appears content to stick with Gafford as their starter moving forward, Lively will get his share of opportunities off the bench and will often match or exceed Gafford's minutes.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Available to play Tuesday
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) will be available for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Kevin Gray Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.
Lively will return to the rotation after missing the last four games with a right shoulder sprain. The second-year big man is averaging 9.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in six outings off the bench in 2024-25.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Could return Tuesday
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against Golden State.
A right shoulder sprain has caused Lively to be sidelined for the Mavericks' last four games, though he has been making progress and is inching closer to a return. If Lively cannot play Tuesday, Dwight Powell will operate as the Mavs' backup center behind Daniel Gafford.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Making progress
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) practiced Monday and hopes to play Tuesday versus the Warriors, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Lively has missed four straight games due to a right shoulder sprain but appears to be nearing a return. His official status for Tuesday's game against the Warriors will be released Monday night.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Likely out Sunday
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Nuggets, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Lively is expected to miss his fourth straight contest Sunday due to a right shoulder sprain. If Lively is downgraded to out, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell should continue to receive extended minutes.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Out again Friday
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) will not play in Friday's game against the Suns, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Lively will miss a third consecutive game, and he will join P.J. Washington (knee) and potentially Maxi Kleber (hamstring) as the key inactives for Friday's game. With Lively out, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell will likely occupy the team's minutes at center.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Officially out Wednesday
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
Lively was initially listed as questionable but got downgraded to doubtful Wednesday morning, so this doesn't come as a surprise. It'll mark Lively's second straight absence due to a right shoulder sprain, and his next chance to suit up will come Friday versus the Suns. With P.J. Washington (knee) also unavailable, Naji Marshall, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell are all candidates for increased playing time, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper or Kessler Edwards could enter the rotation.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Questionable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Lively (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.
The second-year big man is dealing with a right shoulder sprain, and the questionable tag suggests he'll be something close to a game-time decision. Lively has averaged 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks across 23.0 minutes per game in six regular-season outings, so losing him would be a huge blow for both head coach Jason Kidd and fantasy managers who have him rostered. If he doesn't play Wednesday, then Dwight Powell should see more minutes as Daniel Gafford's backup option at center.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Double-doubles off bench
Rotowire
Lively had 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist over 20 minutes during Sunday's 108-85 victory over the Magic.
Daniel Gafford continues to start at center, but Lively has been putting up solid numbers off the bench, so the Mavericks' coaching staff keeps finding ways to have him on the floor regularly. Lively has two double-doubles in six appearances this season, and he's averaging a solid 9.3 points and 8.2 boards per game despite logging just 22.8 minutes per contest. He could be an automatic double-double threat if he were to see more minutes regularly.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Coming off bench in opener
Rotowire
Lively will come off the bench in Thursday's regular-season opener against the Spurs, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
As expected, Daniel Gafford will get the start over Lively. However, the 20-year-old will play a significant role off the bench and could be a candidate to enter the starting five later on, especially if injury concerns arise. Lively had a solid rookie campaign, during which he averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 23.5 minutes per game in 55 regular-season outings.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Fills the boxscore in loss
Rotowire
Lively closed with eight points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 24 minutes during Monday's preseason loss to the Clippers.
Lively got the start once again, chipping in across the board in what was arguably his best performance of the preseason. Whether he starts or not on Opening Night, Lively is the preferred fantasy target when comparing him to Daniel Gafford.
