Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Will remain in starting role
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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: Officially ruled out Sunday
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Lively (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets, Adam Mares of DenverStiffs.com reports.
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.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Likely out Sunday
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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: Double-doubles off bench Thursday
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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.
Lively outplayed Daniel Gafford, who got the start at center. The former showed a more efficient touch near the rim and made his presence on the glass at both ends of the court. As if that wasn't enough, Lively's six assists tied a career-high mark. The second-year center could steal the starting gig from Gafford if he puts up numbers like these off the bench regularly.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Coming off bench in opener
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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: Team option picked up for 25-26
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The Mavericks exercised Lively's third-year rookie option for 2025-26, the team announced Wednesday.
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.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Heads to bench
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Lively isn't starting Thursday's preseason game against Milwaukee.
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.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Fills the boxscore in loss
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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.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Running with first unit
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Lively is starting Thursday's preseason game against the Jazz, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
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.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Perfect from field Monday
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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.
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.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Quiet in Game 5 loss
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Lively chipped in two points (1-2 FG), four rebounds and one block across 24 minutes during Monday's 106-88 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Lively struggled playing on the road in the NBA Finals, accumulating six points and 16 rebounds in three games. However, Lively posted a double-double in both games in Dallas. This more closely resembled the rest of his successful playoff run, during which he averaged 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 66.7 percent in 16 games. Overall, the 20-year-old had a successful rookie season and will look to increase his production in Year 2.
