The Dallas Mavericks have advanced to the NBA Finals after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. It is an exciting time for the Mavs. Rookie Dereck Lively II has continued to positively impact the team despite battling adversity.

Lively lost his mom before the NBA playoffs began following her long battle with cancer. It has been a difficult journey for Lively ever since, but he has played well throughout the postseason. Lively sent an emotional message to his late mother on his Instagram story after the Mavericks' Game 5 victory on Thursday night, via ClutchPoints.

“Just keep watching from above,” Lively wrote.

It is difficult not to root for Lively regardless of which NBA team you follow. At just 20 years old, he's displayed impressive maturity throughout the entire season. If you did not know he was a rookie, you would likely assume he's been in the NBA for multiple seasons.

Lively's teammates have consistently spoken highly of him. In fact, Luka Doncic even tried to give Lively the Western Conference Finals MVP trophy after Game 5.

Lively is clearly respected by the Mavs. His maturity and resiliency is admirable. Lively's performance throughout the NBA playoffs has been crucial for Dallas as well.

Dereck Lively II's immense impact amid Mavericks' NBA Finals run

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) during the second quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Lively scored nine points and added eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in Game 5. He accomplished all of that despite dealing with a neck sprain.

The Mavs rookie missed Game 4 with the injury and Dallas ultimately lost. That happened to be the Mavericks' only defeat of the series.

There likely were not many people around the NBA world before the season who thought that a 20-year-old rookie would play such an impactful role for a team during an NBA Finals run. Yet, that is exactly what is occurring for this Mavericks team.

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Through 16 playoff games, Lively is averaging 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. He's shooting 66.7 percent from the field.

Lively even recently made playoff history. He recorded his 19th consecutive field goal made in the first quarter of Game 5 against the Timberwolves. Lively's 19 consecutive made field goals set a new playoff record in the play-by-play era, via Elias Sports Bureau and Mavs PR.

Lively's NBA Finals message

The Mavs and Lively are happy to be in the NBA Finals. However, they understand that there is more work to be done.

“Job not finished,” Lively said while holding the Western Conference Finals trophy after Game 5, via Joe Trahan of WFAA.

The Mavericks' win on Thursday was important. They will now have a week to rest before the NBA Finals begin. With both Dereck Lively II and Luka Doncic dealing with injures, the extra rest will be pivotal.

The Mavs obviously would not have complained about winning the series in six or seven games. With that being said, the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers, so they will certainly be well-rested. Dallas will also have a similar advantage heading into the NBA Finals now.

The Mavericks and Celtics will go head-to-head in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6.