It’s more bad news for Dereck Lively and the Dallas Mavericks, as the 21-year-old once again has his name stuck on the board outside the injury room at American Airlines Center.
Lively will miss at least the next three games after the Mavericks announced he is being evaluated for swelling and discomfort in his right foot. The team expects to re‑assess him in about 7 to 10 days.
This marks another setback for the player, who already underwent offseason surgery to remove bone spurs in that same foot, and earlier this season had missed games due to a knee sprain.
Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is currently being evaluated for swelling and discomfort in his right foot.
He will miss the team’s upcoming three-game road trip and a further timeline will be provided in approximately 7-10 days.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) November 25, 2025
Lively’s repeated setbacks raise serious questions about his long-term viability as a cornerstone of Dallas’s setup. Having missed large chunks of multiple seasons already, this latest foot trouble adds to fan concerns about his durability. In his limited appearances this campaign, just seven games so far, Lively is averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
While nothing has been confirmed at boardroom level, that does not stop the rumour winds from swirling. Beyond the immediate physical issue, Lively’s recurring injuries complicate the Mavericks’ long-term roster planning. If he cannot stay on the floor consistently, the franchise may soon face difficult decisions about whether to commit to him as a building block or explore other options.
“Normally he’d be a key building block next to Flagg but it might not be possible to see him as that anymore,” wrote on Mavs fan online. “It felt like just yesterday that lively was looked as a future star but he just can’t stay on the court,” added another.
Right now the Dallas Mavericks are 14th in the Western Conference with a terrible 5‑14 record across the 2025‑26 season.
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