Report: Dereck Lively’s Game 4 status unclear after tests on neck returned 'OK'

The Dallas Mavericks have reportedly received good news on Dereck Lively II after he left Sunday’s Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a neck injury.

Tests on Lively’s neck came back ‘OK’ according to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

“Tests returned OK on Dereck Lively II’s neck but his availability for Game 4 remains unclear, source tells ESPN,” Woj posted on Twitter Monday morning.

Dereck Lively played only nine minutes before exiting the game against the Timberwolves Sunday night after taking a knee to the back of the head from Karl-Anthony Towns. He scored 6 points, with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in those nine minutes.

The rookie has been incredible for the Mavericks throughout their postseason run as Dallas is up 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals and has a chance to advance to the NBA Finals with a win over the Timberwolves Tuesday night.

Dereck Lively has yet to miss a field goal attempt in the Western Conference Finals. He is a perfect 13-13 from the field thus far.

Despite being without Lively for much of Sunday’s game, the Mavericks pulled away for a 116-107 victory over Minnesota behind 33 points each from Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.

Starting center Daniel Gafford played 29 minutes with Lively out, finishing with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocks. Dwight Powell also saw his first action of the series after Lively went out, adding 2 points and 2 rebounds in eight minutes.

If Lively does miss Game 4, those two will continue to see an increased role. The good news for Dallas is that the injury doesn’t appear to be long-term.

The former Duke star Lively has had a monster impact for the Mavericks as a rookie this season. After being drafted No. 12 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, he came in and immediately became a post presence for Dallas.

During the regular season, he averaged 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. In 15 postseason games, Lively is averaging 8.5 points and 7.1 boards per game.

The Mavericks are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They reached the Western Conference Finals by beating the No. 4 seed Clippers in the first round and the No. 1 seed Thunder in the second round.

If the Mavericks due indeed close out the Timberwolves on Tuesday, or at some point in the next few days, it appears likely that they will play the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Boston holds a 3-0 lead on the Indiana Pacers entering Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which is scheduled for Monday night.