DERECK LIVELY II NEWS

Will remain in starting role 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 conf...

Impact 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.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod vs. Jazz Lively will enter the starting lineup in Thursday's game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Impact 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.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Logs 12/8 line in return Lively had 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.

Impact Lively played 24 minutes in the loss, and his recent shoulder injury didn't appear to affect his performance. The Mavericks will move forward with Daniel Gafford in the first unit, but Lively will get his share of opportunities and often match Gafford's minutes with the second unit.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Tuesday Lively (shoulder) will be available for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Kevin Gray Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Dereck Lively II Hopes to Play versus Warriors Mavericks' center Dereck Lively II, who has been out the last four games with a sprained right shoulder, is hopeful to play against the Warr...

NOVEMBER 12 • SI.COM

Could return Tuesday Lively (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against Golden State.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress Lively (shoulder) practiced Monday and hopes to play Tuesday versus the Warriors, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Officially ruled out Sunday Lively (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets, Adam Mares of DenverStiffs.com reports.

Impact Lively will be sidelined for a fourth straight game due to a right shoulder sprain. Dwight Powell should see an increase in minutes off the bench behind starting center Daniel Gafford. Lively's next chance at playing will be Tuesday against the Warriors.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Likely out Sunday Lively (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Nuggets, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Lively is expected to miss his fourth straight contest Sunday due to a right shoulder sprain. If Lively is downgraded to doubtful, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell should continue to receive extended minutes.

NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Friday Lively (shoulder) will not play in Friday's game against the Suns, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Lively will miss a third consecutive game, and he will join P.J. Washington (knee) and potentially Maxi Kleber (doubtful due to 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.

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Officially out Wednesday Lively (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Downgraded to doubtful Lively (shoulder) has been downgraded to doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Lively was previously considered questionable to play. With the second-year big man expected to be on the shelf, Daniel Gafford is likely to see a boost in fantasy value and minutes with Dwight Powell possibly getting an uptick as well.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Wednesday Lively (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Won't suit up Monday vs. Indy Lively (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pacers.

Impact Lively was a late addition to the injury report due to a right shoulder sprain, and it is unclear whether he will miss additional time. The 20-year-old has been a crucial piece off the Mavericks' bench, and he 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. Lively's next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against the Bulls.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles off bench 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Mavs, Dereck Lively II Affirm Summer Slander of Rudy Gobert Dereck Lively II made headlines over the summer by criticizing four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and backed up in Tuesday n...

OCTOBER 30 • SI.COM

Double-doubles off bench Thursday Lively closed Thursday's 120-109 win over the Spurs with 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists and one steal across 28 minutes.

Impact Lively outplayed Daniel Gafford, who got the start at center, showing a more efficient touch near the rim and making his presence on the glass at both ends of the court. As if that wasn't enough, the six assists tied a career-high mark for Lively, who could very well steal the starting gig off Gafford if he continues to put up numbers like these off the bench on a regular basis.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Coming off bench in opener Lively will come off the bench in Thursday's regular-season opener against the Spurs, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Team option picked up for 25-26 The Mavericks exercised Lively's third-year rookie option for 2025-26, the team announced Wednesday.

Impact After starting in 42 of 55 regular-season appearances as a rookie, it's no surprise Dallas opted to keep Lively around for another season on a rookie deal. The 20-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game during the 2023-24 regular season and figures to share center duties with Daniel Gafford this season.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Lively isn't starting Thursday's preseason game against Milwaukee.

Impact Lively is set to come off the bench in this one as the Mavs elect to deploy Daniel Gafford at center. Lively should still see plenty of chances despite the role change.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Fills the boxscore in loss 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.

Impact Lively got the start once again, chipping across the board in what was arguably his best performance of the preseason. Whether he starts or not come Opening Night, Lively is the preferred fantasy target when comparing him to Daniel Gafford.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Running with first unit Lively is starting Thursday's preseason game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Impact Lively will get a look at center over Daniel Gafford in Thursday's exhibition. The Duke product looked solid in his last appearance off the bench Monday against Memphis, logging 12 points, three rebounds and two assists in 14 minutes.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Dereck Lively II has expanded his game Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has expanded his game to the point where he's dribbling the ball all the way up the court -- and fi...

OCTOBER 9 • MAVS.COM

Perfect from field Monday Lively posted 12 points (5-5 FG, 2-4 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals over 14 minutes in Monday's 121-116 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact Lively played just 14 minutes off the bench Monday, but he managed to connect on all five of his shots from the field. Lively was the Mavs' starting center for the first half of the 2023-24 regular season, but he ceded that spot to Daniel Gafford after the latter was acquired from the Wizards at the trade deadline. Lively will likely be the first big man off the bench for the Mavericks to start the 2024-25 campaign.

OCTOBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Mavs Legend Dirk Nowitzki on Dereck Lively II: 'Sky's The Limit!' The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic commenced on Saturday, and The Big German had high praise for Dallas Mavericks big man Dereck Li...

SEPTEMBER 14 • KANSASCITY.COM