Mavs’ Dereck Lively II takes brutal KNEE to the head as center leaves game vs Timberwolves with potential sprained neck
Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II left Sunday’s playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves early after suffering a brutal neck injury.
Lively was floored during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center after taking a gruesome but accidental knee to the head from Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns.
The 20-year-old had fallen as Mike Conley was driving for a missed shot, and Towns was aiming for an offensive rebound when his knee struck his head.
Lively spent several minutes on the ground before eventually being helped to his feet and returned to the locker room, apparently due to a concussion.
However, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon later claimed he left the arena to have a scan done on his neck, which is believed to be sprained.
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II left Sunday’s playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves early after suffering a possible concussion
It is believed that Lively is not currently in the NBA’s concussion protocol.
He had to that point scored six points in Game 3 of the Mavs’ Western Conference finals against the Timberwolves, having helped his team both offensively and defensively during their deep playoff run this season.
The center was 12 of 12 from the field in the series, including three makes in Game 3 when he was injured.
There was no immediate word on whether Lively would return, but it seemed likely he was headed for a concussion.
Dallas entered Sunday’s Game 3 with a 2-0 bench lead following Luka Doncic’s heroics on Friday night.
Doncic searched for space as the clock ticked down, using a screen to lure Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the top of the key and a crossover dribble to set up his step-back 3-pointer.
Lively spent several minutes on the ground before he was eventually helped to his feet and returned to the locker room
The Slovenian superstar hit the winner with 3 seconds left and posted his fifth triple-double of the playoffs to lead the Mavericks to a 109-108 win over the Timberwolves.
“I was just trying to get into place and take a step back. I’m confident in that shot,” Doncic said.
Doncic had 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his eighth triple-double in 42 postseason games for the Mavericks, who erased an 18-point deficit late in the second quarter and still trailed by 16 midway through the third quarter.