Mavericks' Lively Sidelined in Game 3 After Neck Sprain from Collision

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively exited Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a neck sprain, the team announced.

The incident occurred in the second quarter when Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns collided with Lively while vying for a rebound, inadvertently striking Lively in the back of the neck with his leg.

Lively remained on the floor for several minutes before being assisted off by teammates and subsequently headed to the locker room for evaluation.

Veteran forward Dwight Powell stepped in for Lively, with the Mavericks leading 43-33 at the time of his departure.

Despite Lively's injury, he had contributed six points, three rebounds, and two assists in nine minutes off the bench, maintaining a perfect field goal record throughout the series. The Mavericks maintain a 2-0 lead in the series heading into Game 3.