Tim MacMahon: Mavs center Dereck Lively II will miss tonight's game due to a right shoulder sprain

High-flying Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II will miss tonight's game against the Denver Nuggets due to a sprained right shoulder, the team announced today.

Lively, the 7-foot-1, 230-pound center out of Duke, started the season with a bang, averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game in the first four games. However, he went down with the shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of Friday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Lively is expected to miss at least the next two games, and possibly more, depending on the severity of the injury. This is a big blow to the Mavericks, who are already without starting shooting guard Josh Green (toe) and reserve wing Jaden Hardy (knee).

With Lively out, the Mavericks will likely start Dwight Powell at center, with Maxi Kleber and JaVale McGee also seeing increased minutes.

The Mavericks are 2-3 on the season and are looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Pelicans. They will face a tough test tonight against the Nuggets, who are 4-1 and one of the favorites to win the Western Conference.