Photo: Dallas Mavericks/X

The Dallas Mavericks faced a setback Tuesday when starting center Dereck Lively II exited just four minutes into the game against Denver with an ankle sprain.

Lively, building on a strong rookie year where he finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting and helped the Mavericks reach the NBA Finals, has been a key contributor this season.

In 31 games (24 starts), he’s averaging 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks while shooting an efficient 70.1% from the field.

This injury is another blow to a Dallas team already without Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a calf injury and expected to return in early February, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.

However, the Mavericks welcomed Kyrie Irving back on Tuesday after a five-game absence due to a back issue.

Daniel Gafford is the most likely replacement for Lively, having alternated starting duties with him. Additional options include Maxi Kleber, P.J. Washington, and Dwight Powell, who played Tuesday after sitting out the previous two games.

The severity of Lively’s injury will determine his recovery timeline. While a mild sprain could mean a quick return, a more significant issue could sideline him for weeks, putting additional strain on the Mavericks’ rotation.