The Mavericks’ key role player’s unexpected injury puts the team in a scary spot

On Monday night, Jason Kidd’s pregame press conference was normal.

He started the push by announcing the medical updates and announcing that both Maxi Kleber and Dante Exum would be out with injuries. Both players have been out for some time as Exum had wrist surgery and Kleber strained his hamstring.

Both of these updates were expected ahead of the Dallas Mavericks’ game against the Indiana Pacers, but another update rolled in just over 45 minutes before the game, which has Mavs fans worried.

Dereck Lively II was ruled out for the game against Indiana with a shoulder sprain, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time, as he was healthy throughout the preseason and played in the first six games of the regular season.

Lively II was out on the floor getting ready for the game under Kidd’s pressures, and he’s proven time and time again that he’s one of the most important players on the team whether he’s in the starting lineup or not.

Lively II has been excellent in his role off the bench, and spraining his shoulder in warmups isn’t the news Mavs fans were hoping for ahead of Dallas’ game against the Pacers. He is a key role player off the bench and without Lively II their depth will be sorely tested.

Dallas’ one-two punch of Daniel Gafford and Lively II in center is among one of the best center duos in the league, but their depth at that position outside of those two is questionable. Dwight Powell will likely have to step up and play some big minutes at the five because Kleber and Lively II are unavailable, and while we know he will bring energy, it will be extremely challenging for him to make an impact up close Lively. II.

During the time near the beginning of the season when Lively II was injured last year, Dallas struggled. It was clear that he was extremely into Dallas’ success right away. The Mavs looked like a completely different team when he missed time with an injury, and while Dallas has Gafford now, losing Lively II for any period of time won’t be easy.

His rim rolling, defense and energy are irreplaceable, and Dallas will have to dig deep depending on how Lively II is sidelined.

Lively II’s rookie year was filled with adversity given all the freak injuries he sustained, and Dallas needs him healthy. He only played in 55 games as a rookie, and after a strong start to the season, he may miss some time.

We currently have no details on Lively II’s injury other than the fact that it happened before the game and he will miss the game against the Pacers, but we should know more about the severity of the injury and exactly what happened after Kidd’s press conference after the game later tonight.