The amazing thing about the Mavericks’ health situations is that two centers have broken noses and neither one of them is Dwight Powell.
Dereck Lively II said Friday he’s going to have a nasal procedure on Monday to correct the broken nose he suffered on Monday against Orlando. He will miss his homecoming game Monday at Philadelphia, but he was trying on a mask at practice on Friday to determine if he might be able to play against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
“I’m definitely going to be doing the procedure on Monday here in Dallas and just being able to figure the timeline is about how I feel,” Lively said. “There was definitely a lot of people who were going to come out and support (at the Philadelphia game). I just hope my team goes out and plays well.”
As for the Saturday game, he’s listed as questionable, although he did not sound like he was a fan of wearing the mask after practice.
“Playing with the mask, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but you got to be able to go through the highs and lows and work through it,” the 7-1 rookie said. “Today, I gave it a shot on being able to wear the mask and adjust it and feel like how it’s going to be on the court.
“We’re still trying to figure out what I’m going to be doing moving forward. But . . . I will be having a procedure on Monday to reset my nose since it is broken.”
Lively was joined in the broken nose club not by Powell, who had a flair for running into heads, forearms, elbows and the hardwood floor with his face, but by Maxi Kleber, who suffered his Wednesday at Minnesota. He also is questionable for Saturday’s game but it appears he won’t need a mask if he plays.
There was some good news on the injury front. Luka Dončić was not on the injury report, meaning he should be available against the Bucks. Kyrie Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. are listed as questionable. Dante Exum is out.
Lively has been one of the biggest rookie surprises in the league this season. On Tuesday he was named to the Rising Stars Game as part of All-Star Weekend.
Lively was a bit bummed to have to be sidelined with the nose fracture when the news came out about the Rising Stars Game.
“But you got to be able to be grateful,” he said. “To be given this chance is amazing. At the beginning of the season, if you told me I’d be able to get this far – no way, I wouldn’t have imagined it. So just being able to know I’m going to this game, I’m excited to be part of the atmosphere and getting to know everybody.”
“I’m just grateful for people to acknowledge me. I’m just going there to meet everybody. I wouldn’t say there’s one person I’m going there to look for.”
Dončić, as well as Powell, were participants in the Rising Stars Game.
“I’ve only been able to pick the brain of Luka,” Lively said. “And he just said go out there and have a great time. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just enjoy yourself and have fun.”
He was reminded that Dončić hit a half-court shot in the 2019 game.
“I don’t know if I can do all that,” Lively said. “But I can dunk it, which I know he didn’t do.”
X: @ESefko
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