The Dallas Mavericks lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals. Dallas held a 3-0 lead heading into Game 4, but they were unable to complete the series sweep. The Mavs will have an opportunity to clinch an NBA Finals appearance on Thursday in Game 5, but injuries will be something to closely monitor.
The Mavericks' Game 5 injury report surfaced on Wednesday. Luka Doncic is listed as questionable with a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness. The Mavs star has been listed as questionable or probable in a number of games throughout the NBA playoffs, but he has yet to miss a postseason contest in 2024.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper has been ruled out with a left ankle sprain. Maxi Kleber, who returned from a shoulder injury in Game 4, was not listed on the injury report. The most notable injury report activity, however, was Dereck Lively II being upgraded to questionable.
Lively suffered a neck sprain after a frightening moment in Game 3. He was initially listed as doubtful for Game 4 and was ultimately ruled out. The upgrade to questionable suggests that Lively has a realistic chance of returning in Game 5.
The Mavericks will monitor his status throughout the day on Thursday. Lively may end up being a gametime decision on Thursday night.
Mavericks missed Dereck Lively II in Game 4
The Mavs lost 105-100 in game 4. Lively has been positively impacting Dallas throughout the playoffs, and it was clear that the Mavericks missed him in Game 4.
His absence placed extra pressure on Daniel Gafford. Gafford performed fairly well, but the big man was not pleased with his performance.
“Dereck (Lively) has been great… He's been picking up the slack for me of course,” Gafford said after Game 4. “Last couple of games I haven't been really ready to play I feel like. I'm letting the team down in a lot of areas. He really helps me motivate myself because as hard as he's working, I want to be able to do the same thing. I gotta be better for him. In all honesty, we just have to have that next man up mentality, just be able to withstand that punch that they are trying to throw at us.”
Gafford and Lively are one of the better center duos in the NBA. Much of the discussion revolved around the Timberwolves big men in Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert heading into the series. Lively and Gafford have challenged Minnesota, though.
Mavs' Game 5 outlook
Game 5 is going to be competitive. Dallas would love to take care of business and end the series on the road.
If the Timberwolves win, Game 6 becomes a must-win contest in a sense for Dallas. Sure, they would still enter Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead. The last thing they would want to do in that scenario is drop Game 6 and have to play a Game 7 on the road.
Of course, the Mavs can erase any possibility of that happening with a Game 5 victory. Dallas won the first two games of the Western Conference Finals in Minnesota, so they know what it takes to get the job done on the road.
Game 5 is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST in Minnesota on Thursday night as the Mavericks look to win the series. We will continue to monitor and provide updates on Dereck Lively II's injury status as they are made available.
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