The Dallas Mavericks have had a difficult season with lots of ups and downs. Big man Dereck Lively II injured himself during a game against the Nuggets. The players, the coach, and the fans could not hide their fear and sorrow. With them already dealing with injuries to star players, this latest development has raised serious concerns about their lineup. Could this be the end of Dallas’ playoff dreams? Let’s get into every detail about what happened, what the injury is about, and what the future holds for the Mavs and Lively.

Dereck Lively II’s night took a turn for the worse in the first quarter. He ended up hurting, or at least, injuring his right ankle. Not more than 8:04 into the beginning of the game, Lively suddenly clutched his ankle to signal the fact that he was hurt and went over to the bench. Until the moment of his injury, everything was going well with the player—he had 4 points (2-3 FG) and 1 block to his name in just 4 minutes of the game. Unfortunately, his leaving proved to be a worrying time for the Mavericks supporters.

Lively could be seen sitting on the bench. He was busy doing some band resistance work on his right ankle and foot while the team was playing. The main aim was to get it moving. However, his attempts were to no avail, and he was finally taken to the locker room.

It was then determined that the hoopster would not be able to come back and play for the rest of the game. The Dallas team quickly released the ruled-out statement, adding to the concern that Dereck Lively’s injury only became more serious.

How does this injury affect the Mavericks?

For the Mavericks, it is an injury that worries them very much. The 20-year-old’s contribution has been a huge factor in the team’s success this season. Even though he is only in his second year, the young big man has shown his dependability. Before the game tonight, his averages were 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Also, he has been quite effective. His field goal accuracy stands at an efficient 70.1%, which shows that he is developing his game, and becoming more effective on both ends of the floor.

Regrettably, Dereck Lively’s injury streak is a big crack in his career, as he has been playing with these setbacks quite often. He has presented brief periods of his best display, particularly through his elite play in the paint. The Mavs, however, are facing a new challenge with this ankle injury as they continue to struggle through frustrating times.

Several players on the Dallas side have suffered injuries, causing them to miss valuable games. Luka Doncic has had some time off because of a calf strain since December. Kyrie Irving has made his reappearance on the team, after a long absence because of injury.

Now, the main concern is the very near future. The Mavs have lost 2 games in a row and head to New Orleans next. Amidst, the chaos, the good news is- Lively’s injury will probably just be a small inconvenience. The hope, of course, is that it will be only a slight niggle.