Photo: Dallas Mavericks/X

Dereck Lively II, the promising young center for the Dallas Mavericks, is expected to miss two to three months after suffering a small fracture in his foot.

The team has classified the injury as a stress fracture in his right ankle, sidelining him for a minimum of four weeks before re-evaluation.

This setback comes during Lively’s second NBA season, where he has made significant strides, averaging an impressive 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.

His presence on both ends of the floor has been a key component of Dallas’s performance this season.

The Mavericks are facing additional challenges as they continue to deal with the prolonged absence of star player Luka Doncic, who is recovering from a calf injury.

Despite these setbacks, the team is holding onto seventh place in the Western Conference standings, though the road ahead will require resilience and strategic adjustments.

To compensate for Lively’s absence, Dallas will likely turn to Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, who are the primary backup options at center.

Both players will need to step up alongside Daniel Gafford, who has taken on the starting role.

The injury to Lively adds further pressure to the Mavericks’ frontcourt, raising questions about how the team will maintain its defensive and rebounding capabilities during this critical stretch of the season.