DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II left Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals with an apparent injury near his head and neck after Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns kneed him in the back of the head on a drive to the rim midway through the second quarter.
ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday morning that tests on Lively's neck "returned OK," but that his availability for Game 4 remains doubtful, according to the Mavs injury report.
Lively was not seen at Monday afternoon's practice, but teammate Maxi Kelber who has an injured shoulder was seen putting up some shots during practice. Mavs rookie Oliver-Maxence Prosper remains out with an ankle injury, according to the team.
The Mavericks ultimately beat the Timberwolves on Sunday night to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. If Dallas can advance this week, Lively would have some extra time to heal up -- the NBA Finals won't start until June 6, regardless of when the conference finals end.
After the foul Sunday night, play stopped as Lively laid on the ground holding the back of his head. The Mavs rookie was then helped by two teammates to the locker room and did not return to the game through the rest of the first quarter.
Earlier in the second quarter, Lively also got kneed in the groin by Towns on another drive to the rim.
After halftime, the Mavericks sent out an update on social media saying that Lively had a "neck sprain" and was questionable to return.