Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II isn’t certain if he’ll participate in the NBA Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend on Friday while recovering from a broken nose.
Lively was diagnosed with a nasal fracture after he was inadvertently struck in the face by Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. on Jan. 29. He underwent surgery on Feb. 5 to reset his nose, and he has missed the past seven games.
The 12th pick is listed as questionable to play on Wednesday when the Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs in their last game prior to the All-Star break. Receiving clearance to return would likely help determine his status for the Rising Stars game.
“My plan is to definitely go to Indianapolis,” Lively told Bally Sports Southwest on Monday. “It is really just a timetable of being able to understand what my body can and can’t do. Today was my first day of just being able to understand that I finally feel good, so we’re just going to see how the timeline goes from day to day.”
Lively practiced with the Mavericks on Feb. 2 for the first time in a protective mask. He will likely need it once he is cleared to play after the surgery and could be required to keep it on for the foreseeable future to prevent further damage.
The 20-year-old has started 35 of his 36 games, averaging 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 assists on 73.9% shooting from the field. He ranks among the rookie leaders in several categories: Points (11th), rebounds (second), offensive rebounds (first) and blocks (third).
Lively was among 11 first-year players selected to participate in the Rising Stars game. He is the first Mavericks player picked to compete in the event since Luka Doncic in 2019 and 2020.
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