The Dallas Mavericks could get a boost in Game 5 as rookie center Dereck Lively II has been upgraded from out to questionable.
"For Game 5 of the Mavs and Timberwolves tomorrow night, Dereck Lively II has been upgraded to questionable. He missed a lot of Game 3 and was unavailable in Game 4 due to a neck sprain," Mavs reporter Mark Followill reported through X.
The Mavs lost what could've been a series clincher in Game 4 against the Wolves, 100-105.
Before his injury, Lively served as a paint presence, a spacer, and a threatening help defender for his team.
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He is also a tremendous inside pass option for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
However, he had to miss Game 4 after a scary injury in Game 3 that prevented him from finishing the game.
Lively II tried to block a shot by Mike Conley but fell awkwardly and hit his head on the knees of Karl Anthony Towns.
The game was delayed, and he was ruled out for the rest of the night.
He was not put on the NBA concussion protocol, but Dallas decided to err on safety as they opted not to field him in Game 4.
"Yeah, he's a big piece to our defense and offense," Doncic said after the Game 4 loss.
"So we miss him a lot."
Doncic may have a point here, as Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns recorded their best game in the series so far.
Anthony Edwards also had a field day attacking the paint from the outside, with Dallas's paint protectors depleted.
Picking up for him was Max Kleber, who played his first game since May 3 due to a shoulder injury.
Officially out for the Mavs in Game 5 is rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
Luka Doncic questionable for Game 5
Lively II could return but another thing on the injury report has Mavs fans worried.
Luka Doncic, the team's top scorer, is listed as questionable.
His is a downgrade, although based on betting odds, most bookmakers lean towards him being available for the Target Center game.
The Luka Doncic injury is an old one that has been hounding him all series long.
"Luka Doncic is also listed as questionable due to his right knee sprain and lingering soreness in his left ankle. He has been listed as questionable several times during this postseason but played every game," the ESPN report stated.
Doncic was the leader in scoring in the regular season, but his production dropped in the postseason.
That does not reflect, however, his leadership of the team.
He is working with Kyrie Irving to lead a young team to Mavs' first-ever NBA finals since 2011.
Timberwolves vs Mavericks Game 5 Preview
The Mavs will try to finish the Wolves in Game 5 at Target Center and prevent them from gaining momentum to steal the Finals spot.
No NBA team has come back from a 0-3 lead.
Last season, the Boston Celtics were able to force a 3-3 after losing the first three games against the Miami Heat, only to end up getting dominated in Game 7 despite a home-court advantage.
Related article: Kyrie Irving Snaps Remarkable Streak in Mavs' Brutal Game 4 Loss vs Timberwolves
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