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  • Questionable for Game 5
    Lively (neck) is questionable for Thursday's Game 5 against Minnesota.

    Advice: Lively missed Game 4 due to his sprained neck, but he does appear to be trending in a positive direction. We should get another update following Thursday's morning shootaround, but if Lively is able to return, Daniel Gafford's minutes would dip and Dwight Powell could fall out of the rotation entirely. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 1:37 pm
     
  • Could return for Game 5
    Lively (neck) could return as soon as Thursday's Game 5 against Minnesota, Shams Charania said on FanDuel's Run It Back.

    Advice: Lively avoided the concussion protocol and is trending in a positive direction. If Lively can give it a go, Dwight Powell would be unlikely to crack the rotation and Maxi Kleber's floor would be a bit lower in fantasy formats. More clarity is expected on Wednesday afternoon after the Mavericks practice. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:52 am
     
  • Improves in Game 4
    Towns closed with 25 points (9-13 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes before fouling out of Tuesday's 105-100 victory over the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Towns had been heavily criticized due to his shooting struggles throughout the series, but he bounced back in a big way Tuesday, missing just one of his five attempts from beyond the arc and just four of his 17 shots overall when including free throws. One game won't erase all his struggles, but this was certainly a step in the right direction. Towns will need to produce at this rate again if Minnesota is going to win Game 5 on Thursday to extend the series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:57 am
     
  • Takes on limited role in return
    Kleber (shoulder) played 13 minutes and finished with two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in Tuesday's 105-100 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: The Mavericks were without backup center Dereck Lively (neck) for Game 4, but the return of Kleber from an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder -- which he suffered in Game 6 of the opening-round series against the Clippers -- helped restore some depth in the frontcourt. Kleber and Dwight Powell (three minutes) saw only light run behind Daniel Gafford (31 minutes) and P.J. Washington (42 minutes), and if Lively is back for Game 5 on Thursday, Kleber could see his playing time decline further. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 7:36 am
     
  • Karl-Anthony Towns bounces back, scores 25 points
    Karl-Anthony Towns amassed 25 points (9-of-13 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, one assist, and four 3-pointers in 30 minutes in Tuesday’s Game 4 win over Dallas.

    Advice: Towns still hasn’t shaken the penchant for committing silly fouls, but he was far more effective in Tuesday’s Game 4. Before fouling out with a little over one minute remaining, KAT was more aggressive offensively, refusing to settle for perimeter shots. Towns took seven shots from the field before attempting his first 3-pointer, and he shot 4-of-5 from deep on the night. With Towns scoring 20 of his 25 after halftime, this is the kind of performance Minnesota will need in Game 5 on Thursday if they’re to push the series to a sixth game. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:19 pm
     
  • Maxi Kleber (shoulder) good to go for Game 4
    Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) is available for Tuesday’s Game 4 against the Timberwolves.

    Advice: Kleber has been out since May 3, when he logged five minutes in the closeout Game 6 victory over the Clippers. His return is timely, as Dereck Lively II is out on Tuesday due to a neck injury sustained in Game 3. Rotoworld Tuesday, 8:55 am
     
  • Cleared for Game 4
    Kleber (shoulder) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Timberwolves, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Kleber has been on the sidelines since May 3 with an AC joint separation, but he returned to practice Monday. The fact that the Mavericks are clearing him to play prior to warmups is also a good sign. Kleber could absorb some of the minutes that Dereck Lively (neck) was getting recently. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:21 am
     
  • Luke Kornet (wrist) available for Game 4 Monday
    Luke Kornet (left wrist sprain) is available for Monday’s game against the Pacers.

    Advice: Kornet is back after missing Boston’s Game 3 victory on Saturday, adding another frontcourt option off the bench. His return will mean fewer minutes for Oshae Brissett and Xavier Tillman, with at least one falling out of the rotation altogether. Rotoworld Monday, 3:35 pm
     
  • Good to go
    Kornet (wrist) will play in Monday's Game 4 against Indiana, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Kornet was spotted warming up with tape on his injured left wrist prior to tipoff, and he's been cleared to give it a go. He logged 13 minutes in Game 1 before suffering the wrist injury in Game 2 and should see reserve minutes again Monday night behind Al Horford. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:21 pm