Dereck Lively II has spent the past week fighting through one of the most frustrating phases an NBA player can face: limits. But now, the Dallas Mavericks won’t have him at all.
The team ruled Lively out for Saturday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, removing the 7-foot center from the rotation one night after he played through a strict minutes restriction. The Mavericks also listed D’Angelo Russell as questionable with an illness, adding further uncertainty to a roster still battered by injuries and attrition.
Lively had only recently returned from offseason foot surgery to remove bone spurs, followed by a knee sprain suffered in the third game of the season. His availability has been capped at roughly 17 minutes per night — a restriction he has pushed to the limit in recent outings.
Before Friday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Jason Kidd said the restriction remains the toughest stretch of Lively’s recovery.
“Restricted time, the 15 to 18 minutes — I know that he feels he can play more,” Kidd said. “Coming back from the surgery, taking it one step at a time, this is the hardest part because he wants to be out there. He wants to help his team in all categories.”
Kidd added that the staff remains optimistic about increasing Lively’s minutes eventually, but only as long as he responds well physically.
“As long as he continues to feel good, hopefully he can get to the point where he can get more minutes,” Kidd said. “But we’re at the stage of 15 to 18 minutes. Hopefully in the near future he can get that bumped up.”
Lively delivered energy and activity in the second half Friday, logging nearly all of his 18 available minutes after halftime. Less than 24 hours later, the team opted to hold him out entirely.
Illness Hits the Backcourt
D’Angelo Russell is now the latest Maverick fighting an illness circulating through the team, leaving his availability for Saturday uncertain. He missed Friday’s game and remains day-to-day.
Russell has been one of Dallas’ steadiest playmakers off the bench this season. Kidd noted the team missed both Russell and Anthony Davis on Friday due to the illness, with Davis also continuing his recovery from a left calf strain.
“Both (Davis and Russell) have an illness,” Kidd said. “And he (Davis) is rehabbing the calf, so everything’s great there.”
The absences come as Dallas enters one of its most demanding stretches of the season: 10 games in 16 days, three back-to-backs in a single week, and five games in seven days.
Injury Picture Remains a Season-Long Strain
Ryan Nembhard (left knee sprain), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), and Danté Exum (right knee surgery) all remain out. Exum will miss the rest of the season after the team and medical staff determined he needs a second knee procedure.
“Since the Finals in 2024, that was the last time we were healthy,” Kidd said. “So that campaign started shortly after that — next man up. Nothing changes.”
Kidd emphasized how difficult losing Exum is for the group.
“We will miss Exum, understanding what he brought to the team on and off the floor,” he said. “We just hope for a speedy recovery.”
Cooper Flagg, Jason Kidd Reflect on Early Struggles
Rookie Cooper Flagg said earlier this week that the season’s early stretch has featured more losing than he has ever experienced, a sentiment that Kidd believes can be formative.
“He understands the situation,” Kidd said. “In this league, you learn from losing. The great ones always do. Michael (Jordan), Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James), these guys are winners, but they’ve also lost and you have to learn from losing. That’s what makes them champions.”
After Friday’s win, Flagg echoed the message.
“Obviously, it’s different,” Flagg said. “That’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned from some of the vets, just being even-keeled all the time. It’s early. There’s so many games.”
Memphis Grizzlies Bring Momentum and Passing Surge
Memphis enters Saturday’s game coming off a 137–96 rout of Sacramento, a night highlighted by 42 assists on 50 made baskets. Vince Williams Jr., playing in place of the injured Ja Morant, posted 15 assists.
Morant (calf) remains out. Jaren Jackson Jr. is day-to-day with an ankle sprain. Cedric Coward (14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds) and Santi Aldama (13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds) lead the Grizzlies’ healthy rotation.
Saturday marks yet another tight turnaround for Dallas. But after edging New Orleans and showing late-game execution that has often escaped them, the Mavericks believe they are starting to find traction.
“We’ve shown progress,” Max Christie said after Friday’s performance. “We’ve been in so many close games so far this season. The growth tonight is to be able to close one out and win one.”
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