Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II will be sidelined at least four weeks with a right ankle stress fracture.
The Mavs announced Wednesday that the promising young two-year veteran will be re-evaluated in four weeks. If everything comes out clean for Lively in four weeks, he could possibly return in time to play in the Feb. 21 home game against New Orleans, which is the Mavs’ first game after the All-Star break.
Lively hasn’t played since he was injured during the game against the Denver Nuggets on July 14. He has missed the past four games, and his absence puts a strain on the Mavs in the middle, who’s only other active centers are Daniel Gafford and Maxi Kleber, because Dwight Powell ((right hip strain) is also on the injury list.