DALLAS — As the Dallas Mavericks prep for a potential series-winning Game 5 on Thursday night, the status of one of the rookies was unveiled nearly an hour before tip-off.
Rookie Center Dereck Lively II was knocked out of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals when he took a knee to the back of his head.
"At first I was a little scared of a concussion because -- you know -- you get a knee to the back of the neck, the head," Lively said when discussing his injury on Thursday. "But I'm here, 20-20 vision, I'm able to speak, I'm able to remember. "
While Lively is happy to avoid a concussion, the injury still came with debilitating side effects.
"Everything in my neck was locked up from right after I got hit. So, it's just been a lot of treatment, a lot of stretching," Lively added.
Just before 6:30 p.m., the Mavericks said Lively would be available for Game 5.
During Thursday morning's shootaround, Lively said he's not in pain, but discomfort.
"It kind of just makes a chain reaction go down your back, go down your neck. So, just trying to be able to just be more cautious of my body. Trying to figure out what I can and can't do, just testing it out," Lively explained.
Lively has been playing a pivotal role as a defender in the paint, all while averaging 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists during the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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