DALLAS — Mavericks rookie heart Dereck Energetic II was dominated out of Sunday’s 116-107 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Recreation 3 of the Western Convention finals due to a neck sprain.
Energetic left the sector to get a scan to guage the severity of the sprain, sources advised ESPN. Energetic isn’t within the NBA’s concussion protocol at this level.
Energetic was injured with 8:35 remaining within the second quarter when he was inadvertently kneed at the back of the pinnacle by Timberwolves heart Karl-Anthony Cities. Energetic was falling to the ground after contesting a Mike Conley floater when the collision occurred.
After remaining on the hardwood for a few minutes, Energetic obtained to his toes and gingerly walked to the locker room with the assistance of teammate Markieff Morris.
Referee Tony Brothers introduced that the Mavs weren’t charged a timeout on account of concussion protocol guidelines.
Energetic was initially listed as questionable to return after halftime earlier than being dominated out late within the third quarter. Dwight Powell served as Dallas’ backup heart for the remainder of the competition.
Regardless of a Timberwolves rally within the second half, Dallas held on to take a commanding 3-0 collection lead.
Energetic has been a drive all through the Mavs’ playoff run, averaging 8.8 factors, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per sport off the bench by way of the primary 14 video games. He had the second-best complete plus-minus within the West this season, trailing solely Wolves heart Rudy Gobert, as Dallas had outscored opponents by 108 factors with Energetic on the courtroom.
Energetic, a second-team All-Rookie choice, made his first 13 pictures from the ground within the convention finals, together with all three makes an attempt Sunday. In accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, that is the second-most consecutive makes to start a playoff collection up to now 25 years, trailing solely Miami Warmth massive man Chris Andersen (15) within the 2013 Japanese Convention finals.
Energetic averaged 11.5 factors and 10.0 rebounds throughout Dallas’ two highway wins to start out this collection.
He had double-doubles within the two victories to complete the West semifinals collection towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Dallas’ frontcourt depth already took a major hit when ahead/heart Maxi Kleber separated the AC joint in his proper shoulder in the course of the Mavs’ closeout win over the LA Clippers within the first spherical. Kleber is taken into account unlikely to return in the course of the convention finals, sources advised ESPN.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.
