Dereck Lively II leaves with sprained ankle, won’t return

The Mavericks reigned starting center Derek Lively II out with a sprained ankle just four minutes into Tuesday’s game against Denver, the team announced (via Twitter).

Lively continues to build on an impressive first season in which he finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting and helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals. In 31 games (24 starts) this season, he is averaging 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks while shooting a highly efficient 70.1% from the field.

It’s a blow to a Dallas team already without a superstar Luka Doncicwhich has to do with a calf injury that is expected to keep him out through this month at the earliest. According to Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops JournalDoncic is on track to return in early February.

Lively’s most direct replacement is apparently: Daniel Gafford. He and Lively often switch off at the starting center position, with Gafford starting in all 22 of his appearances last postseason and Lively taking over this year. In addition to Gafford, the Mavs have Maxi Glue, PJ Washington and Dwight Powell as large. Powell entered Tuesday’s game in the first half after not playing in the previous two tilts for Dallas.

It’s unclear exactly how much time Lively will miss, but sprains are typically measured in weeks, not days, in terms of recovery time, though that’s not always the case. Tidjane Salaun of the Hornets suffered a sprained ankle in December that kept him out for just two games, just over a week. Meanwhile, the Warriors advance Jonathan Kuminga a bit of a more significant one that will keep him out for at least three weeks.