Mavs Center Dereck Lively II Facing Another Injury Setback Amid Promising Start
The Dallas Mavericks are finally starting to find their rhythm, riding their first two-game win streak of the season. But just as the team begins to build some momentum, the injury bug has once again bitten-and this time, it’s sinking its teeth deep into one of their most promising young pieces: Dereck Lively II.
Lively, the 21-year-old center who’s already shown flashes of being a foundational big man, has been sidelined for the last five games with swelling and discomfort in his right foot. That’s the same foot he had bone spurs removed from this past offseason-a detail that makes this latest setback all the more concerning. He was recently spotted wearing a walking boot at a Mavericks community event, a visual that’s hard to ignore for fans and team officials alike.
This isn’t Lively’s first battle with injuries, either. Earlier this season, he missed nine games due to a sprained right knee.
And when you zoom out, it’s clear that staying on the floor has been a real challenge for him since entering the league. While his talent is undeniable-rim protection, vertical spacing, and flashes of offensive polish-his availability has been anything but consistent.
The Mavericks have said they’ll provide an update on his status within 7-10 days from November 25, which means a clearer picture of his recovery timeline should be coming soon. But until then, the walking boot and ongoing discomfort raise real questions about whether this is just a minor flare-up or something more significant.
When it comes to big men-especially athletic 7-footers like Lively-foot and lower leg injuries are always a red flag. The league has seen too many promising careers derailed by early injury trouble, and while no one’s pressing the panic button just yet, Dallas has to tread carefully. The last thing they need is to rush back a player who could be a long-term anchor for their defense.
There’s also the long-term view to consider. If Lively’s going to be the center of the future-potentially paired with a rising star like Cooper Flagg-the Mavericks need to make sure he’s physically right.
That may mean a longer rehab process, even if it means sacrificing short-term help. His upside is too valuable to risk by pushing him back too soon.
And make no mistake-Lively has real upside. His defensive instincts, shot-blocking ability, and mobility make him a rare commodity in today’s NBA. If he can stay healthy and continue to expand his offensive game-particularly his range-he has the tools to become an All-NBA caliber defender and a potential All-Star.
But right now, it’s all about getting him healthy. The Mavericks avoided a major scare last season when a stress fracture was nearly misdiagnosed.
They can’t afford a repeat. The focus now has to be on long-term health and development, not rushing him back into action for a few extra wins in December.
Whether this turns into a short-term absence or something more prolonged remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that Lively’s health is one of the most important storylines for Dallas moving forward. He’s too talented, too important, and too rare a piece to risk anything less than a cautious, calculated approach.