Mavericks Could Get Major Boost in WCF Game 5 with Potential Dereck Lively II Return
During Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Dallas Mavericks rookie big man Dereck Lively II had to leave the game during the second quarter with a neck sprain and didn't return. Fortunately for Dallas, Lively didn't suffer a more serious injury after taking an inadvertent knee from Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns to the back of the head.
Although the Mavs overcame Lively's absence for the remainder of Game 3 with a 116-107 win, that wasn't the case in Game 4. On Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, the Timberwolves won the rebounding and points-in-the-paint battle with Lively out as well as their first game of the series, 105-100.
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Dallas wasn't able to sweep its way to the NBA Finals, but it still holds a commanding 3-1 series lead heading into Thursday night's Game 5 in Minnesota with Lively's return to action as a real possibility.
According to the latest official injury report, Lively is listed as "questionable" for Game 5 with a neck sprain, which is an upgrade from his "doubtful" status before Game 4.
Lively has been a key contributor in Dallas' run to the West Finals, as he's averaged 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 15 playoff games while shooting 65.3 percent from the floor. Lively currently has the second-largest plus/minus rating for a rookie in NBA playoff history, behind only San Antonio Spurs legend Manu Ginobili.
Despite Lively's absence in Game 4, plus Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving having off-shooting nights, the Mavs still almost came away with a victory. If Lively is able to play in Game 5, there's reason to believe Dallas could officially punch its ticket to the NBA Finals while being on the road.
