Derek Lively II already back?

Game 4 in Dallas was supposed to be the consecration and the “sweep” for Dallas. It actually helped highlight the importance of the Mavs' interior rotation, where a certain Derek Lively II missed a lot. Worse, it was his tormentor, Karl-Anthony Towns, author of an involuntary knee strike to his neck, who shone in the “money-time” to make Minnesota triumph and give hope to an entire franchise.

“It’s true that he’s an important element of our defense and our attack, so we miss him a lot”, admitted Luka Doncic at the end of Game 4 on Tuesday evening.

Dallas therefore gave itself an opportunity to get it back from Game 5 this evening by passing its status as “questionable” (“uncertain”) in the night, in order to be able to qualify it if the player feels able to return to the arena. The fact that he was not forced to go through a concussion protocol opened the door to a fairly rapid return. It will therefore perhaps be for this evening, even if it will be up to the medical staff, in agreement with the main person concerned, to make a decision. We will have to carefully weigh all the options, particularly with a view to a potential Game 6 under high tension in Dallas in the event of a defeat this evening.

With the return of Maxi Kleber during the last game, that of Derek Lively II could give more weapons to Jason Kidd and the Mavs to try to contain the Towns-Gobert-Reid trio.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.