Minneapolis, Minnesota Dereck Lively II, the rookie center for the Dallas Mavericks, strained his neck during a 10-minute post-shootaround workout. As a result, he may not be able to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs.
While leaving the Target Center, Lively answered a question about the workout, saying, “I was definitely moving,” to ESPN.
Lively had not run or jumped so much since he was accidentally kneed in the back of the head by Minnesota Timberwolves power center Karl-Anthony Towns early in the second quarter of Game 3.
A second-team All-Rookie choice, Lively missed the Mavs’ Game 4 defeat.
Lively added, “I really don’t know how much I can do,” prior to the media being allowed to leave the Target Center court so he could work out alone. “We’re now determining my options. Simply attempting to process data and determine what will raise red flags and what won’t.”
The Mavs star Luka Doncic is also deemed questionable due to persistent ankle discomfort and an injured right knee. Throughout the Mavs’ postseason run, Doncic has been designated as questionable multiple times, yet he has participated in every game.
Even though Lively’s head injury was initially considered serious, he did not undergo the NBA’s concussion protocol and experienced severe neck and back pain in the days after the incident. Lively reported that although he can move his entire range of motion again, he is still somewhat sore.
“We’re not going to call it pain; we’re going to call it discomfort,” Lively stated. “But everything in my neck was locked up from right after I got hit, so it’s just been a lot of treatment, a lot of stretching, just a lot of just listening to what my body’s telling me.”
Throughout the playoffs and especially in this series, Lively has been a significant force, putting up 29 points on 13 of 13 shooting, 23 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks in 63 minutes of action. For the whole postseason (plus-109), as well as in this series (plus-22), Lively owns the Mavs’ top plus-minus.
Although Lively stated he wants to “listen to my body” before deciding whether or not to play in Game 5, he hopes to be back.
“I don’t want to go out there and get hurt again,” Lively stated. “I don’t want to walk outside and aggravate my neck or back in any way. Therefore, I’m just going to go step by step.”
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