On Sunday night, the Dallas Mavericks took a dominant 3-0 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves on their home floor with a 116-107 win.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 66 points in the win, and the Mavs are looking like they can beat anyone right now with their lockdown defense, role-player contributions, and the leadership from their superstars.
Doncic and Irving have fully embraced being the leaders of this team, and everyone else is following after them beautifully as the Mavs are playing some of the best basketball that fans have ever seen.
Dereck Lively II is 'OK' after scary injury against Timberwolves
While everyone is excited about the win, there was a scary injury that happened in Game 3 that could change everything. Dereck Lively II sprained his neck in the first half of the game, and this was a scary moment for anyone who was in attendance.
Lively II laid on the floor while holding his head for at least two minutes, and when he tried to walk, he was extremely wobbly and looked out of it. Markieff Morris helped him all the way back to the locker room, and he was ruled questionable to return before later being downgraded to out.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Lively II's test on his neck turned out "OK" but "his availability for Game 4 remains unclear." Chris Haynes made a similar report as well, saying that he's heard that Lively II is saying he's "okay."
This is a great sign for Mavs fans considering how great Lively II has been in this series, and an even better sign is that there have been no reports of him suffering a concussion. This would have been a much more serious injury, and the fact that it was just a sprained neck was a huge break for Dallas.
At practice on Monday, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said there would be an update on Lively II's status today, and Dallas officially listed Lively II as doubtful on their injury report with a neck sprain. This is a great sign considering no concussion has been reported.
Update: Haynes reported that Lively II will be out for Game 4.
The Mavs making sure Lively II is healthy moving forward in these playoffs will be extremely important, as he has been the best center on the team throughout these playoffs. Lively II has been the one to close the game for Dallas over Daniel Gafford, and time will tell when Lively II will be able to return to the lineup.
For all the latest on Dereck Lively II and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, stay tuned.
