Dereck Lively II has been downgraded from day-to-day to out with a right foot injury, per the Tuesday injury report. The Mavericks open the 2026-27 season at the Rockets on Wednesday night without their 22-year-old center.
What happened
The Mavericks listed Dereck Lively II as out on Tuesday's injury report, posted at 6:16 PM ET. The listed detail is a right foot injury. He had been day-to-day with the same issue since Sep 6. The report's comment reads: "Lively (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's exhibition against the Hawks." The report also carries an expected return date of Oct 23. Lively is a 22-year-old center. He appeared in 7 games last season, averaging 16.5 minutes, 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas opens the 2026-27 season at the Rockets on Wednesday at 8:30 PM ET, and the record stands at 0-0. Lively gave them 16.5 minutes a night in his 7 games last season, with 5.3 rebounds. In games without him, Daniel Gafford has logged 21.7 minutes and 9.5 points as the backup big, with Anthony Davis at 31.3 minutes and 20.4 points up front. Cooper Flagg leads the rotation at 33.5 minutes and 21.0 points, with P.J. Washington at 31.0 minutes and Naji Marshall at 29.5. There is no with-and-without record yet, since no regular-season games have been played. Caleb Martin, Tarik Biberovic and Santi Aldama are also out.
What to watch
The expected return date on the injury report is Oct 23. The next report before Wednesday's opener at the Rockets will show whether anything changes from the current out status. Beyond that, the key dates are the Oct 23 return target and the status of the other three players out on the team report: Caleb Martin, Tarik Biberovic and Santi Aldama. No further timeline has been announced.
Is Dereck Lively II playing at the Rockets on Wednesday?
No. He is listed as out on Tuesday's injury report with a right foot injury.
When will Dereck Lively II be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct 23. No firm date beyond that has been announced.