Dereck Lively II Gave Emotional Quote About Late Mother After Blowout Win Over Celtics

Mike McDaniel | Jun 15, 2024

Jun 14, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter during game four of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II had his most impactful game of the NBA Finals in Game 4 on Friday night, recording a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, which included one knockdown three pointer in Dallas' 122–84 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Lively was asked about the three pointer in particular after the game, and he immediately pointed to the sky and thought about one person: his late mother, Kathy Drysdale, who died in April after a battle with cancer.

"It's for her," Lively said. "She helped me make it. She helped me make a lot more. She helped me at the free throw line. She helped me make reads. I'm just happy to have Luka pass me the ball in position. I'm happy to knock it down. Just gotta be able to make the next one."

“She helped me make it”

Dereck Lively II credits his late mother for helping him make his first career 3-pointer 🙏

(Via @JoeyMistretta_) pic.twitter.com/t9TcAVNzNO

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 15, 2024

If the Mavericks plan to get back into this series, which they still trail 3-1, contributions from their role players like Lively will be pivotal.

Game 5 is back in Boston on Monday night.