Dereck Lively II Listed as Questionable on Mavericks' Injury Report vs. Kings
The Dallas Mavericks submitted their injury report for Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings as they seek to bounce back from a 126-122 loss versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
Dereck Lively II has been upgraded to questionable, while Luka Dončić (left calf strain), Dante Exum (right wrist surgery), and Naji Marshall (NBA suspension) remain out. The Mavericks regain P.J. Washington after serving his one-game suspension.
Lively has missed the Mavericks’ previous two games due to a left hip contusion he suffered during the loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day. His upgraded status doesn’t come as a surprise, considering there was a clear progression since the Mavericks were in Phoenix.
Before the team faced the Trail Blazers, Lively wore workout gear and was at the trainer’s table during the open locker room portion of pre-game instead of being in street clothes like he was at Footprint Center.
Marshall remains suspended for the next three games, meaning his next eligible game will be against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 6.
It’ll likely be a while before a meaningful update about Dončić’s recovery. Just as the Star-Spangled Banner started to be sung at the Moda Center, the Mavericks issued an official press release stating that the Slovenian superstar would be re-evaluated “within one month.” However, DallasHoopsJournal.com has been informed that he is expected to return from injury before the NBA All-Star break.
While Exum is progressing by no longer wearing a brace on his right wrist, a lot of work goes into getting back into shape to play NBA basketball. He will be someone to monitor throughout the first few weeks of January.
If Exum can return, it could help overcome the absence of Dončić in the backcourt and ease the heavy burden currently placed on Spencer Dinwiddie and the other ballhandlers.
