Mavericks provide notable status update on star rookie ahead of Game 5

That is big news for Lively, who was ruled out on Dallas’ corresponding injury report more than 24 hours before Game 4. He was injured in Game 3 of the series when he took a nasty knee to the back of the head from Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns (video here).

Lively was diagnosed with a neck sprain but did manage to avoid being placed in concussion protocol. He was also feeling well enough to sit on the Mavericks bench for the entirety of Game 4 and cheer on his team.

The 20-year-old Lively has been a big-impact player for Dallas as a rookie this season. Averaging 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on the year overall, the 7-footer is an athletic dunk threat who is also a long and nimble shot-blocker. In rotating shifts with Mavs starting center Daniel Gafford, Lively helps ensure that Dallas can always dominate the paint.

Without Lively in Game 4, the Mavs lost 105-100 as the rusty Maxi Kleber and the low-floor Dwight Powell struggled to fill the backup center minutes. But with Lively seemingly trending toward a Game 5 return, Dallas may be in good position to close out the series, which is currently 3-1 in its favor.