Derek Lively II reacts after suffering an injury in the 2nd quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3.
Dallas (AP) – Dallas Mavericks center Derek Lively II was ejected in Game 3 of Sunday night’s Western Conference finals against Minnesota after taking a knee to the back of the head from Karl-Anthony Towns.
The accidental contact caused his head to snap forward, and Duke’s rookie stayed on the court holding his head. Lively was down for several minutes, dazed as she was helped off the court and taken to the locker room.
Derek Lively II (neck sprain) will not return for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) May 27, 2024
Lively fell while Mike Conley drove in a missed shot, and Downs followed up with a layup when his knee hit Lively in the head in the second quarter.
Lively, 20, and starter Daniel Gafford were instrumental in helping Dallas take a 2-0 series lead. When Lively was injured in Game 3, he was 12 of 12 from the field in the series.
Dallas was already without center-forward Maxi Kleber, who separated his shoulder in the second round. Lively pressed the injured Dwight Powell into action. He played less than 15 minutes in the postseason.