Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II left Sunday’s playoff game against the Timberwolves after taking an inadvertent knee to the back of his head from Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns.
The incident took place in the second quarter with Dallas leading, 43-33. Lively fell backward toward the court after contesting a missed jump shot by Mike Conley. As he fell to the court, the back of his head slammed into Towns’ right knee as Towns jumped in an effort to corral the rebound.
Lively’s head snapped forward, and he remained on the court for several moments. He was eventually able to stand up and leave the court with the help of teammates. He was clearly woozy and headed straight for the locker room.
There wasn’t an immediate update on his status, but he didn’t appear in any condition to return to the court.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
