Sources: Mavs lose center Lively to foot fracture

Dallas Mavericks starting center Dereck Lively II has sustained a small fracture in his right foot and is expected to miss two to three months, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Lively had missed the past three games and was listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but further testing revealed the fracture, sources said.

Lively, 20, has emerged as an essential part of the Mavericks foundation after playing a key role in Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals as a rookie last season. He is averaging 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 70.1% from the floor this season.

The Mavericks (23-20) have lost 10 of 14 games since superstar Luka Doncic strained his left calf on Christmas. Doncic is scheduled to be reevaluated in the coming days, but no firm timetable has been set for his return.

Kyrie Irving has also missed time recently due to a bulging disk in his back. Irving said he will have to manage the injury for the rest of the season and hopes that he will not have to undergo surgery.

Daniel Gafford, who is averaging 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, provides the Mavericks a quality big man to step into the starting role. But Dallas’ big man depth is thin without Lively and third-string center Dwight Powell, who suffered a right hip strain Friday and will miss his second straight game against the Timberwolves.