Through 19 games in 2025-26, the Mavericks are 5-14. The team is 3-7 in its last 10 and has lost two straight. Dallas is currently 14th of 15 teams in the Western Conference.Â
At the moment, the Mavericks have several front-court players dealing with injury. Anthony Davis has missed the last 14 consecutive games for Dallas due to a calf injury. On top of that, big man Dereck Lively has only appeared in seven games and made four starts this season. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Lively is set to miss another three games due to a lingering foot injury.
The Mavs continue to battle injuries in the front court
More from Dallas: It is feared that the Mavs face an extended injury absence for Dereck Lively II, @TheSteinLine has learned.
Held out Monday in Miami for right foot injury management, Lively has played in seven of 19 games after offseason foot surgery and a recent knee issue. https://t.co/yIPbWa7bQK
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 25, 2025
During the 2024-25 season, Dereck Lively played in 36 games for Dallas and made 29 starts. Unfortunately, Lively missed significant time due to injury. For the 21-year-old, that’s been a major theme as he starts his professional career. Fifty-five games as a rookie in 2023-24 is a personal best for Dallas’ big man. It’s been an uphill battle for Dereck Lively to stay healthy. That remains true in 2025-26.
Early in the year, Dereck Lively has appeared in seven of the team’s 19 games. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Lively is dealing with “swelling and discomfort in his surgically repaired right foot.” Not what Mavericks fans want to hear this early in the season. In June 2025, Dereck Lively underwent surgery to remove bone spurs on his foot.
BREAKING: It’s feared that Dereck Lively II will miss extended time, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/yeeMKqhu23
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) November 25, 2025
In 2025-26, Derrick Lively has made scattered appearances for Dallas. He missed nine consecutive games due to a foot injury and returned on November 14. Lively has missed each of the team’s last two games due to a foot injury. Tim MacMahon noted that Lively will miss at least another three games. The team is fearful that he could miss extended time.
Who will step up for Dallas if Dereck Lively misses serious time? Luckily, Anthony Davis is reportedly on the verge of returning. He is scheduled to practice on Wednesday, November 26. If all goes well, Davis could return for the Mavs’ game on Friday vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s a game Davis doesn’t want to miss. Daniel Gafford has been playing a larger role to begin the year with the injuries in the front court. Dallas is on the road Friday to face the Lakers.
