Dallas Mavericks player injured in third game against Timberwolves

TO UPDATE: Dereck Lively II is out for the rest of the game.

TO UPDATE: The return of Dereck Lively II is questionable.

TO UPDATE: Dave McMenamin of ESPN further details added.

On McMenamin: “Referee Tony Brothers announced that the Mavs would not be given a timeout for stopping play when Dereck Lively went down “due to concussion protocol.” After that announcement, I find it hard to imagine Lively returning for Game 3.”

On Sunday night, the Dallas Mavericks will play at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third game of the Western Conference finals.

During the game, Dereck Lively II was injured and had to be taken to the locker room.

He has six points, two rebounds, two assists and a block while shooting 3/3 from the field in his first nine minutes of play.

About Tim MacMahon of ESPN: “Dereck Lively II, the Mavs' rookie center and a major force in this series, was accidentally kneed in the head by Karl-Anthony Towns. Lively left the field dazed with his arm around Markieff Morris after lying down for a few minutes.”

Lively was selected 12th in the 2023 NBA Draft and was one of the most productive rookies.

He finished the regular season averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 74.7% from the field in 55 games.

The Mavs lead the Timberwolves 2-0 after winning the first two games of the series at Target Center.

The winner of the series advances to the NBA Finals and will face either the Boston Celtics or the Indiana Pacers.