NBA PLAYOFFS
Why isn’t Dereck Lively II playing against the Timberwolves in Game 4 today?
Dallas are looking to clean-sweeping Minnesota in their Western Conference Finals series without the rookie center, while Chris Finch’s team will try to force a fifth clash.
Only one more step forward, one more win. That’s what the Mavericks need to make history and feature in the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years.
Dallas could accomplish that feat in style, as they could sweep the Timberwolves in a series that was expected to be more balanced, at least for now.
However, the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving duo have been outstanding when most needed against one of the standout teams this season, being able to deliver in clutch moments and keep at bay Anthony Edwards & co.
Now Chris Finch’s players are obliged to win Game 4 to be able to keep fighting for a spot in the Finals, but history is against them, as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
The reason why Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II is not playing Game 4
The Timberwolves need something close to a miracle to completely change the series’ dynamics and win four consecutive games. They will need to be at their best and be more inspired than their opponents in the most important minutes of the match.
While it seems too much of an ask for the Timberwolves to emerge victorious in the next four matches, they could have a good shot at winning Game 4 after Mavs’ Dereck Lively II has been ruled out for tonight’s clash.
The rookie center suffered a collision in Game 3 that translated into a neck sprain. The incident happened when the player tried to collect a rebound and Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns landed his knee in the back of Lively’s head. The 20-year-old remained on the floor for several minutes as the team’s staff assisted him to the locker room.
The rookie center averaged 9.7 points with 7.7 rebounds, playing around 20 minutes per game in the Western Conference Finals.
“He helps us so, so much in these playoffs and the regular season… Obviously, we’re going to miss him if he can’t play”, Doncic said after Game 3 about his teammate’s injury.
With Lively II out of action, Daniel Gafford will spend more time on the court, while Dwight Powell will replace him when needed.