‘Hopefully Out There Tonight’: Dereck Lively II’s Eager To Give Dallas Mavericks Needed Boost

Grant AfsethNovember 14, 2025November 14, 2025no comment

Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

Dereck Lively II walked into shootaround Friday morning smiling, moving well, and sounding every bit like a player ready to return after missing nine straight games. For a Mavericks team in need of stability, physicality, and defensive structure, his voice — and his presence — landed with unmistakable weight.

“Blessed to be alive. Blessed to wake up today. Blessed to play basketball,” Lively said as he settled in to take questions. The 7-foot center, sidelined by a right knee sprain, offered the clearest indication yet that he expects to be available Friday night when the Mavericks host the Los Angeles Clippers.

Lively emphasized that his recovery has been centered on discipline and self-awareness. Before giving any timeline, he wanted to explain how he has approached the process.

“Physically feel good, just taking my time, listening to my body, reacting to the things I can control, not reacting to things I can’t control,” he said.

Sorting Through the Injury and Diagnosis

Lively also walked through how the injury evolved, explaining why the team ultimately listed it differently as more information came back.

“It was really just after the game. Just bumps and bruises that come with the game. You just gotta listen to your body,” he said. “You gotta listen to what Doc said. It took time to get the results back, so we had to list what it was. We can’t lie to y’all. I had to listen to my body. There were things I couldn’t do, so I needed time to rest.”

That theme — controlling only what can be controlled — carried into everything Lively said, including his reaction to the front-office change that shook the organization earlier this week.

“It’s out of my control,” Lively said of the GM change. “I gotta be focused on the team getting this dub today, bringing the effort and energy we can. We’re focused on each day and trying to stay present.”

What Dereck Lively II Can Do on the Court Now

Lively said the most encouraging progress came in recent days, when he was finally able to test his mobility at full speed.

“You see me out there — running and jumping,” he said. “Just listening to my body, hopefully out there tonight.”

In three games this season, Lively has averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. But his real value has always been tied to rim protection, screening, spacing, and energizing the Mavericks’ defense — areas Dallas has lacked during his absence.

Kidd said after Thursday’s practice that turnovers — especially late — remain the team’s most damaging issue.

“Fourth quarters, we’re 28th in turnovers,” Kidd said. “We’re turning the ball over way too many times. And if we’re down, that puts a lot of pressure on our defense. We talked about how we can be patient. We don’t have to force anything.”

He believes he’s ready to pick back up where he left off.

“I can’t have one thing be good and the others be bad. Staying on top of my health — the food I put in, the water I put in,” he said.

Perspective During Injury

Lively also reflected on how injuries — both this season and last — have shaped him.

“There’s gonna be ups and downs. Last year had a lot of injuries, but we stayed together and focused on what we can control,” he said.

Asked who has helped him grow into being more of a student of the game, Lively pointed immediately to the organization’s veterans and coaches.

“A hundred percent — Tyson and Coach Kidd,” he said. “Talking to them, noticing things, giving teammates encouragement, helping them on and off the floor.”

He added that the recovery time has also allowed him to appreciate the contributions of others in the frontcourt, particularly Moussa Cissé.

“Amazing,” Lively said. “He brings effort and energy. Runs up and down, blocks shots, talks, picks guys up on the floor or the bench. Always energy.”

He’s also been impressed with Cooper Flagg’s poise during an unexpectedly large early-season role.

“He’s been steady. Great player. Focused on what he can control. Been a dog. Times he’s fallen, but we pick him up,” Lively said.

When asked how he stayed grounded mentally through the injury, Lively pointed back to his family.

“Sit with my family, my daughter. I go home and her smile — she always looks at me as a father. Sunshine in my life,” he said.

What the Dallas Mavericks Need to Fix

From his viewpoint on the sideline, Lively said the areas Dallas must address are clear.

“Transition defense, take care of the ball, limit turnovers, be aggressive, move the ball, get in the paint, find the best play, not the first play,” he said.

Those issues were on full display in Wednesday’s loss to Phoenix, where the Mavericks shot brilliantly late but committed six fourth-quarter turnovers — part of why Jason Kidd said after practice, “In the fourth quarters, we’re 28th in turnovers.”

Kidd believes Dallas can build on its shooting breakthrough, though. Klay Thompson hit six threes in a season-best performance, and the team posted its strongest long-range showing of the year.

But Kidd made it equally clear that defending a Clippers team built around James Harden and Ivica Zubac will test Dallas’ physicality in ways they have not yet handled well.

“They have some injuries, but when you talk about Harden — he’s one of the best at being able to find teammates but also score and shoot the three,” Kidd said. “And then Zubac in the middle — he’s seeing more double teams this year than he did last year, but he’s improved again. He’s a dominant center in this league. We gotta keep him out of the paint and make it tough. And we gotta be able to keep Harden out of the paint and make it tough on him.”

That is exactly where Lively’s return could make the biggest difference. His rim protection, communication, and backline organization remain irreplaceable pieces of the Mavericks’ defensive identity.

He hopes to bring all of it back with him tonight.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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