Surgery sees Mavs star out of season remainder
Dereck Lively II, will undergo surgery on his right foot, keeping him out for the rest of the campaign.
The Dallas Mavericks confirmed on Wednesday that their young center, Dereck Lively II, will undergo surgery on his right foot in a procedure that officially ends his 2025–26 NBA season. In a social media post, the team said: “Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot. Lively is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the start of training camp. Get well soon, big fella. The comeback will be better than ever.”
The 21-year-old has appeared in just seven games this season, averaging roughly 4.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in about 16.4 minutes per game. His last outing came on November 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans, putting up four points and four boards in 18 minutes.
This foot surgery marks the latest and most serious setback in Lively’s injury-plagued stint with the Mavericks. He originally suffered a stress fracture in the same ankle back in January, causing him to miss over two months.
Dereck Lively II injury update:
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 10, 2025
Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot. Lively is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the start of training camp.
Get well soon, big fella. The comeback will be better than ever 💙🙏 #MFFL pic.twitter.com/Zzr3IfOMLP
During the offseason, the team attempted to address the issue by removing bone spurs, clearing him to start the season healthy.
Yet, the respite was short-lived. After returning, Lively also dealt with a right knee sprain and now worsening foot discomfort, which had lingered since his comeback. A brief attempt at a recovery this November ended with swelling and pain, prompting the club to pursue multiple medical opinions.
The Mavericks have expressed confidence that Lively will fully recover and be ready by the start of the 2026–27 training camp. Nonetheless, losing a young, athletic rim-protector is a serious blow for a club already navigating a rough season. The Mavs currently sit at 9–16, and the absence of Lively complicates their efforts to rebuild the fallen castle walls.
One of the most impactful rookie seasons in NBA history.
— Dereck Lively II Muse (@DL2Muse) December 10, 2025
Get well soon, big man.
pic.twitter.com/YJD25YVoWi
With Lively headed to the sidelines for the rest of the season, the Mavs now regain the ability to add a player under the NBA’s disabled-player exception. That opens the door for the Mavericks to plug the rotation gap, something that could ease pressure on the remaining big men like Daniel Gafford or veteran backups such as Moussa Cissé and Dwight Powell.
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