Mavericks center Dereck Lively reportedly has fractured foot, will miss multiple months

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively has a fractured foot and is expected to miss 2-3 months, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday.

The news is a blow to the Mavericks and Lively, who was experiencing a breakout in his second NBA season. Before Wednesday's report, Lively had been sidelined three games with what the team previously diagnosed as an ankle sprain.

In 32 games, including 25 starts this season, Lively averaged 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks while shooting 70.1% from the field in 24 minutes per game.

Lively was splitting time at center with veteran Daniel Gafford. Gafford projects to take over the bulk of the minutes in the post in Lively’s absence. Maxi Kleber is in line for a bigger reserve role.

Lively's is the latest injury to a Mavericks starter. Luka Dončić remains sidelined with a calf injury that he suffered on Christmas. The All-NBA guard has missed 13 games with the injury. Kyrie Irving recently returned from a bulging disc in his back that sidelined him for five games.

The Mavericks are off to a 23-20 start after winning the Western Conference last season. They entered Wednesday in seventh place in the West. Per the 2-3 month timeline, Lively could return in time for the postseason, if they qualify. Dallas is scheduled to conclude its regular season April 13.