‘Itching To Get Back’: Cooper Flagg, Dusty May Credit Dereck Lively II’s Bench Energy In Dallas Mavericks’ Win Over Houston Rockets
DALLAS — Dereck Lively II was inactive again on Friday night as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 116-111 at American Airlines Center. Mavericks coach Dusty May and Cooper Flagg each brought up the center during their postgame press conferences.
Lively is recovering from surgery on his right foot. The Mavericks announced the season-ending procedure on Dec. 10, 2025, after he appeared in seven games last season and averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes.
That followed a July 2025 surgery on the same foot to remove bone spurs. Lively played 36 games in 2024-25, averaging 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Dallas won its third straight game Friday to improve to 4-2. The Mavericks trailed by 11 late in the third quarter, then outscored Houston 40-27 in the fourth.
“We look like a team that, obviously, when things aren’t going well, when I watch these games, just to see how our bench is about each other. And I want to shout out Dereck Lively. He’s a big part of that,” May said. “His energy is contagious, and he’s got such a positive spirit to him. But yeah, just the fact that we look like a group trying to find a way to win together, no matter what it looks like. They’re playing the game in front of them, and they’re doing it as a unit.”
Cooper Flagg On Dereck Lively II’s Presence
Lively, 22, is in his fourth NBA season and has played seven games since the start of last season. All seven came during Flagg’s rookie year.
“It’s been great. Live has been one of the loudest people on the bench every single night, and you can tell he’s really just itching to get back out there,” Flagg said. “But just what he’s done from the sidelines and the energy and the positivity that he’s brought to our team has been incredible. And he’s definitely been a big part.”
He was the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Four of his seven appearances last season were starts.
“I think just the small time that I was able to play with Live last year, just his defensive versatility, a lot like Gaff, just holding down the paint, being a really big presence, shot blocker, and a lob threat, so that’s really good for him,” Flagg explained. “He sees the game at a high level, too. So I think a lot [is] underrated about Live, and I’m excited to get back out there with him eventually, and people will be able to see.”
Daniel Gafford, Morez Johnson Jr. Carry The Center Minutes
With Lively out, Daniel Gafford has started all six games at center. He had 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks against Houston, giving him multiple blocks in every game this season.
Rookie Morez Johnson Jr., the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, backed up Gafford for 17 minutes, 8 seconds. Santi Aldama, a 7-footer, is also out following right knee surgery.
Houston grabbed 20 offensive rebounds against Dallas, and Tari Eason had 8 of them. The Rockets outscored the Mavericks 20-6 in second-chance points.
The Mavericks host the Sacramento Kings on Monday at American Airlines Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
