Dallas Mavericks Player Injured In Game 3 Against Timberwolves

A key Dallas Mavericks player got injured during Game 3.

Feb 13, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: Dereck Lively II has been ruled out for the rest of the game.

Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) will not return to tonight's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) May 27, 2024

UPDATE: Dereck Lively II is questionable to return.

UPDATE: ESPN's Dave McMenamin added more details.

Via McMenamin: "Referee Tony Brothers announced that the Mavs wouldn't be charged a timeout for the break in the action when Dereck Lively went down "due to the concussion protocol." With that announcement, I have a hard time seeing Lively returning to Game 3."

Referee Tony Brothers announced that the Mavs wouldn't be charged a timeout for the break in the action when Dereck Lively went down "due to the concussion protocol." With that announcement, I have a hard time seeing Lively returning to Game 3.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 27, 2024

On Sunday evening, the Dallas Mavericks are playing the Minnesota Timberwolves (at home) for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

During the game, Dereck Lively II got injured and had to be helped to the locker room.

He has six points, two rebounds, two assists and one block while shooting 3/3 from the field in his first nine minutes of playing time.

Via ESPN's Tim MacMahon: "Mavs rookie center Dereck Lively II, a major force in this series, took an inadvertent knee to the head from Karl-Anthony Towns. Lively woozily walked off the floor with an arm around Markieff Morris after staying down for a couple of minutes."

Mavs rookie center Dereck Lively II, a major force in this series, took an inadvertent knee to the head from Karl-Anthony Towns. Lively woozily walked off the floor with an arm around Markieff Morris after staying down for a couple of minutes.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 27, 2024

Lively was the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and has been one of the most productive rookies.

He finished the regular season with averages of 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest while shooting 74.7% from the field in 55 games.

Lively up and gingerly walking to the locker room with help while holding the back of his head.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 27, 2024

The Mavs have a 2-0 lead over the Timberwolves after winning the first two games of the series at the Target Center.

Whoever wins the series will advance to the NBA Finals and face off against either the Boston Celtics or the Indiana Pacers.