Blow to Dallas Mavericks! Dereck Lively fractures ankle with Luka Doncic still out of action

Another blow! The Dallas Mavericks will suffer a significant setback after confirming that their starting center, Dereck Lively, will be out of action for two to three months due to a stress fracture in his right ankle, as sources informed ESPN.

Lively, who had been ruled out for the last three games and was questionable for the Wednesday matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves (a loss for the Mavs), underwent further tests that revealed the injury. The team announced he will be reevaluated in four weeks. All of this comes with Luka Doncic still absent from the team and with a clear losing streak.

"He's the next man up," declared Mavericks coach Jason Kidd on Wednesday. "That's why you have a team. We've been through this before."

Lively, 20, has been a key piece for the Mavericks after playing a crucial role in the team's journey to the NBA Finals as a rookie last season. So far this season, he is averaging 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks, with a 70.1% field goal shooting percentage.

The Mavericks, with a record of 23-20, have faced difficulties recently, losing 10 of the last 14 games following the injury to superstar Luka Doncic, who injured his left calf on Christmas Day. While Doncic is expected to be reevaluated in the coming days, there is still no defined timeline for his return. "We're not looking at the standings. We're just trying to see who can put on a uniform," Kidd commented.

On the other hand, Kyrie Irving has also had physical issues, dealing with a herniated disc in his back that he says will need to be managed for the remainder of the season in hopes of avoiding surgery. Additionally, Daniel Gafford, averaging 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks, will step in to fill Lively's role as the starting center. However, the team's depth at the center position is limited, as Dwight Powell, the team's third center, suffered a right hip strain last Friday and will miss his second consecutive game against the Timberwolves.

The list of absences adds up with starting shooting guard Klay Thompson, who did not play on Wednesday due to a sprained left ankle, further complicating the Mavericks' situation in a critical stretch of the season.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¡Mazazo para Dallas Mavericks! Dereck Lively se fractura el tobillo con Luka Doncic todavía un tiempo fuera