Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after an injury in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3 of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks rookie takes brutal knee to the head in Game 3

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated 5/26/24

Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively on Sunday entered concussion protocol after taking a huge blow to the head during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Lively was injured early in the second quarter while battling for a rebound. Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns inadvertently kneed Lively in the back of the head as the latter was falling to the floor at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Dereck Lively takes a hit to the head and has left to the locker room

Wishing him well pic.twitter.com/s7K4VGuY2B

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 27, 2024

Lively laid motionless while holding onto the back of his head for over a minute. He eventually got back on his feet but was visibly shaken up after the blow.

Mavericks teammates helped him to the locker room, where the rookie was checked for a possible concussion.

Referee Tony Brothers announced that the Mavs wouldn't be charged a timeout for the break in the action when Dereck Lively went down "due to the concussion protocol." With that announcement, I have a hard time seeing Lively returning to Game 3.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 27, 2024

WE AIN’T NO DOCTOR BUT WE THINK DERECK LIVELY HAS SUFFERED A CONCUSSION

JUST LOOK AT THIS pic.twitter.com/X3mjPbw8uI

— Dallas Nation (@TheDallasNation) May 27, 2024

Lively exited the contest with six points and three rebounds on 3-of-3 shooting from the field. The 20-year-old has been a huge part of the Mavericks’ playoff run with averages of 8.7 points and 7.4 rebounds on 63.9% shooting.

Lively has been a key cog off the Mavericks’ bench throughout the postseason. Both Lively and starting center Daniel Gafford have served as sturdy rim protectors for Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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