The Dallas Mavericks lost Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals 105-100 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dallas clearly missed Dereck Lively II, who was out with a neck sprain. So will Lively return for Game 5?
Rumors have swirled since Game 4 that a Lively return in Game 5 is possible. Dallas is proceeding with caution, especially since Lively is dealing with a neck injury. There was seemingly a sense of optimism from the outside on Monday, though. Still, only Lively and the Mavericks truly know how the 20-year-old is feeling.
The Timberwolves are trying to complete a historic come-from-behind series victory. Dallas currently holds a 3-1 lead and they are still in the driver's seat. The Mavs would like to end the series as soon as possible, however. Minnesota will only continue to build confidence and momentum with each win moving forward.
Of course, all Dallas needs to do is win one more game to book their ticket to the NBA Finals. Isn't that right, Luka Doncic?
“We won three games, like I said it's first to four,” Doncic said after Game 4. “No matter if you win in four or in seven, just gotta win four.
“We gotta win four games…. We gotta win one more game, that's it.”
Having Lively available for Game 5 would go a long way towards helping the Mavs win. So is Dereck Lively II playing tonight in Game 5 vs. the Timberwolves?
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Dereck Lively II's injury status for Mavericks-Timberwolves Game 5
Lively is officially available for Game 5. He joins Luka Doncic whose knee and ankle injuries won't hold him out of Game 5 either. While Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) has been ruled out, Maxi Kleber (shoulder) returned from his injury in Game 4 and is not listed on the Game 5 injury report.
After being considered a game-time decision, via NBA insider Shams Charania on FanDuel's Run It Back, Lively is now ready to return to the court.
“I'm told Dereck Lively will be a gametime decision tonight,” Charania said. “It's really trending towards a 50-50 chance that he plays. He's trying obviously to give it a go, he doesn't have a concussion which is the good news. But he has a neck sprain that he's dealing with… The hope obviously in Dallas is that he's able to tough it out and try to play tonight. But I would expect a decision closer to gametime.”
Game 5 should be another exciting contest. Even when the Mavericks led 3-0, the series did not lack drama as each game was competitive. Game 4 was another contest that came down to the wire before the Timberwolves finally emerged victorious for the first time in the 2024 Western Conference Finals.
Thursday's crucial affair is scheduled to begin at 8:30 PM EST in Minnesota as the Mavericks look to clinch a series victory. Dallas will have a little extra juice as they chase an NBA Finals appearance with Lively making his return.
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