Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II expected to miss 2-3 months, reports say
DALLAS - Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively will miss two to three months with a foot injury, according to new reports.
Report: Dereck Lively suffers foot fracture

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 12: Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center on January 12, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
What we know:
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Lively suffered a small fracture in his foot.
Lively has missed the last three games since he was injured in the Mavericks' loss to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 14.
The second-year center has averaged 9.1 points and 7.8 rebounds while anchoring the Mavericks defense.
What we don't know:
At this point, it will be a while before the Mavericks' roster will be back at full strength.
Luka Doncic has missed the last 14 games with a calf injury. The Mavericks are 4-10 in those games.
On December 27, the team announced that Doncic would be re-evaluated for his injury in a month.
The Mavericks (23-20) are currently the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Lengthy injury report vs. Timberwolves
The battered Mavericks will be short-handed when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
In addition to Lively and Doncic, guard Jaden Hardy (ankle), center Dwight Powell (hip) and guard Dante Exum (wrist) have been ruled out.
F Naji Marshall (illness), G Quentin Grimes (back) and G Klay Thompson (ankle) are listed as questionable.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Dallas Mavericks and ESPN's Shams Charania.