Mavericks’ Derrick Lively II (knee) to play Friday after missing nine straight games
Through 12 games into the 2025-26 season, the Mavericks are 3-9. The team has a record of 1 win and 6 losses in the past seven games. Injuries early in the year led to a slow start for Dallas.
The Mavericks will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on the road on Friday, November 14th. NBA insider Shams Charania shared Dallas’ injury status ahead of that game. Former first-round pick Derrick Lively II will return to the game against the Clippers. The 21-year-old has missed nine consecutive games due to a knee sprain he suffered on October 26.
Derrick Lively II to return to Mavericks lineup on Friday
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, who has been sidelined since Oct. 26 with a sprained knee, will return to the lineup tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, sources told ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 14, 2025
The Thunder selected Dereck Lively II from Duke University with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, Dallas and Oklahoma City completed the trade on draft night. This makes Lively a member of the Dallas Mavericks. In three seasons, Lively appeared in 94 games and started 74 times. Dereck Lively has missed significant time with injuries in each of his first two seasons. As a rookie, he appeared in 55 games and started 42 games. Lively finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.
In the 2024-25 season, Derek Lively played 36 games and started 29 times. In January 2025, Lively suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle. He was forced to miss 36 consecutive games with Dallas. Derek Lively did return for the final few games of the season. In July 2025, he underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his right foot. Fortunately, Lively is fully recovered and ready for the 2025-26 season.
Breaking News: Derrick Lively II reportedly set to return to Mavericks lineup tonight @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/3d3JB9XkZ5
— MFFL Nation (@NationMffl) November 14, 2025
However, Derrick Lively suffered a sprained knee against the Raptors on October 26. The 21-year-old has missed nine consecutive games for the Mavericks. NBA insider Shams Charania reports that Derrick Lively II will return against the Clippers on Friday. Lively started the first three games of the 2025-26 season at center but has missed nine consecutive games with a sprained knee.
In 94 games for Dallas, Derrick Lively II averaged 8.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. Dereck Lively is a traditional center who doesn’t extend his game beyond the three-point line. He hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer in a game since his rookie season. Daniel Gafford missed the first five games of the season due to injury. He started Dallas’ final seven games at center. Head coach Jason Kidd will likely use a two-man lineup against the Clippers on Friday. The team will once again be without Anthony Davis, who is recovering from a calf strain.
