The Mavericks missed their opportunity to sweep the Timberwolves. Now, they have to travel back to Minnesota to try and close out the Western Conference Finals.
Dallas suffered its first loss of the series in Game 4 despite 28 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists from Luka Doncic. It was clear the Mavericks were hurting for frontcourt depth without breakout rookie Dereck Lively II, who suffered a neck sprain in Game 3.
Reserve bigs Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber (who just returned from a shoulder injury for the first time since the first round) could not provide the same level of energy on the glass and rim protection on defense as Lively.
Will Lively be available for Game 5 as Dallas tries to close out the series? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
MORE: Karl-Anthony Towns shakes foul trouble to lead Timberwolves' to Game 4 win
Is Dereck Lively II playing tonight?
Lively will be made available to play for the Mavericks in Game 5 on Thursday, per Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) will be made available for Game 5 tonight.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 30, 2024
Lively traveled with the team to Minnesota on Wednesday and completed a 10-minute workout after the team's shootaround on Thursday to test his injury. He also went through his regular pregame warmup routine before he was cleared to play.
The rookie center has been an important piece to Dallas' deep playoff run. He is averaging 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in his first postseason, providing constant pressure at the rim on both ends of the floor.
Lively's +109 plus/minus is good for the fifth-best of any player in the 2024 playoffs, further proving his value in just 21.5 minutes per game.
His return boosts Dallas' chance of closing out this series in five games to reach the NBA Finals.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks start time
- Date: Thursday, May 30
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. CT
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks will tip off shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 30. The game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
What channel is Timberwolves vs. Mavericks on tonight?
- TV channel: TNT
- Live stream: Sling
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks will air on TNT. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling.
Sling is the home for sports fans, as it offers a wide range of channels. You can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the NBA Playoff series between the Timberwolves and Mavericks:
(3) Timberwolves vs. (5) Mavericks — Dallas leads 3-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| May 22 | Mavericks 108, Timberwolves 105 | — | — |
| May 24 | Mavericks 109, Timberwolves 108 | — | — |
| May 26 | Mavericks 116, Timberwolves 107 | — | — |
| May 28 | Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 100 | — | — |
| May 30 | Game 5 | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| June 1 | Game 6* | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
| June 3 | Game 7* | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling |
*If necessary
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