Inside The Nuggets

Dallas Mavericks Make Injury Announcement During Nuggets Game

The Dallas Mavericks have announced some injury news against the Denver Nuggets.

Joey Linn

Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after suffering a possible leg injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center.
Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after suffering a possible leg injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets are facing off again on Tuesday night after playing each other on Sunday as well. The Nuggets defeated Dallas on Sunday by final score of 112-101, and are looking for a similar outcome on Tuesday night.

The Mavericks got star guard Kyrie Irving back from injury for this contest, but remain without his backcourt partner Luka Doncic. Already shorthanded, the Mavericks suffered another tough injury loss early in Tuesday night’s game. 

After playing just four minutes, Mavericks starting center Dereck Lively suffered what looked to be an ankle injury that sent him back to the locker room.

Dereck Lively II
Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after suffering a possible leg injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The team has since announced an official update on Lively.

Via Mavs PR: “Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game against the Nuggets.”

Lively is in his second NBA season after receiving All-Rookie second team honors last season. The 7-foot-1 center entered Tuesday night averaging 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 31 appearances.

Just 20 years old, Lively has emerged as an important piece to what Dallas does on both ends of the court.

Protecting the rim on defense and serving as a lob threat on offense, Lively will be missed if he is sidelined for a stretch of games. For now, the team has announced he is out for the remainder of Tuesday night's game against Denver.

Related Articles

Nikola Jokic Makes NBA History in Nuggets-Mavericks

Nikola Jokic Makes Strong Russell Westbrook Statement

Latest Update on Denver Nuggets Potentially Signing Ex-Lakers Player

Published
Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

Home/News