Dereck Lively fractures ankle, expected to miss 2-3 months

Dereck Lively fractures ankle, expected to miss 2-3 months

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively is expected to miss the next 2-3 months with a stress fracture in his right ankle, the team announced Wednesday. He will be reevaluated in four weeks.

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was among the first to report the expected timetable for Lively’s injury.

“Next man up,” head coach Jason Kidd told reporters earlier this week, according to the team website. “That’s why you have a team. Injuries. Illnesses. We’ve been through this before. We’re not looking for excuses. It’s just part of the sport.”

Lively suffered in the injury on Jan. 14 against the Denver Nuggets after just four minutes, tallying just four points and one block on 2-of-3 shooting.

For the season, Lively’s started in 25 of his 32 games, posting averages of 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks. He’s shooting 70.1 percent from the floor and 63.8 percent from the free-throw line, a 13 percent increase on last year’s dastardly 50.6 free-throw percentage.

The 20-year-old’s ankle injury adds to the litany of injuries the team has suffered this season to Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Naji Marshall, among others.

There was also recent conversation about whether or not the Mavericks would consider trading center Daniel Gafford in search for another wing defender. While Gafford’s on an attractive contract, that may be off the table amid Lively’s injury–unless a can’t miss option becomes available between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

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