If you’re just looking at the box score after a Dallas Mavericks game, you probably think Dereck Lively II is a "fine" player. Maybe you see 8 or 9 points, a handful of rebounds, and a block. You might think, “Cool, he’s a solid rim runner.” Honestly? You’re missing the entire point.
The real story of dereck lively ii stats isn't about volume. It’s about a 7-foot-1 kid from Duke who walked into the NBA and immediately started breaking advanced data models. He doesn't need 20 shots to dominate. He just needs to exist in the same zip code as Luka Doncic.
The Efficiency That Shouldn't Be Possible
Let’s talk about the shooting. In his rookie year (2023-24), Lively shot 74.7% from the field. Read that again. It is a ridiculous number. If he had enough games to qualify for the official league leaderboards, he would have finished first in the entire NBA.
He didn't just stumble into those buckets. It’s a mix of elite hands and a "gravity" that most centers his age haven't figured out yet. When he rolls to the rim, defenders have a panic attack. They have to choose: do I stay on the best isolation scorer in the world (Luka), or do I stop this 230-pound freight train from catching a lob?
Usually, they choose wrong.
🔗 Read more: Neeraj Goyat: What Most People Get Wrong About India's Boxing Pioneer
By the 2024-25 season, we saw him settle into a consistent rhythm. Even as a sophomore, he kept that efficiency high, hovering around 70%. You've got to realize how rare it is for a 20-year-old to understand shot selection this well. Most young bigs want to show off a "bag" they don't actually have yet. Lively? He just wants to win.
Beyond the Points: The "Lively Effect" on Luka and Kyrie
The most important dereck lively ii stats aren't even on his own line; they’re on Luka Doncic’s. When Lively is on the floor, the Mavericks' offensive rating spikes. Luka’s assist numbers jumped from 8.0 to 9.8 per game during Lively's rookie campaign.
Why? Because Lively is a "short-roll" genius.
When teams blitz Luka to get the ball out of his hands, he tosses it to Lively at the free-throw line. Most centers would freeze there. Lively doesn't. He has this weird, veteran-like ability to catch, turn, and find a shooter in the corner or a cutter like P.J. Washington. He averaged over 2 assists per game in chunks of the 2024-25 season, which is kind of wild for a guy who basically never handles the ball on the perimeter.
A Quick Reality Check on the Numbers
- Field Goal Percentage: Historically high (74.7% as a rookie).
- Playoff Impact: Averaged 7.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in the 2024 Finals run.
- Defensive Rating: Dallas moved from 21st to 6th in the league largely because of his rim protection.
- The "One" Shot: He made his first career three-pointer in Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals.
The Defensive Anchor We Didn't Expect
People knew he could block shots. He had 82 blocks at Duke, which was second-most for a freshman in school history. But NBA defense is different. It’s about communication and not falling for every pump fake from a vet like Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic.
Lively didn't get the memo that rookies are supposed to be bad at defense.
He finished his first year with a defensive box plus-minus that made him look like a 10-year vet. In the 2024 playoffs, his presence was the reason Dallas was able to get past OKC and Minnesota. He wasn't just camping in the paint; he was switching onto guards and actually staying in front of them. He’s got a 7-foot-7 wingspan, which basically means if he’s anywhere near you, your shot is in danger.
💡 You might also like: The 2014 World Cup and Argentina: Why that Final Still Stings Ten Years Later
His block stats (averaging around 1.4 to 1.6 per game) are steady, but his "deterrence" is what matters. Players see him and just... turn around. They don't want the smoke.
Why He’s More Than Just a "Lob Threat"
The media loves to call him a lob threat. And yeah, he is. But calling him just that is like calling a Ferrari "just a car."
What the dereck lively ii stats show is a player who is increasingly comfortable with the ball. In the early parts of the 2025-26 season, he started showing off a little hook shot. Luka even joked about it, saying it was "great" to see him finally using it. That’s the development that should terrify the rest of the Western Conference.
If he can score without a direct pass from a superstar, his value doubles.
Honestly, the "dirty work" is where he lives. He’s a sponge for information. He talks to Daniel Gafford constantly. They have this "big brother, little brother" dynamic where they just rotate in and pummel opposing centers for 48 minutes. It’s a luxury Dallas has never really had in the Mark Cuban era.
What's Next for the Numbers?
Expect the free throw percentage to be the next big jump. He started in the 50% range, which invited "Hack-a-Lively" strategies. By the 2025-26 stretch, he’s been pushing that closer to 70-80% in small samples. If he becomes a reliable free throw shooter, he can stay on the floor in the final two minutes of tight games.
Also, watch the passing. With Klay Thompson now on the roster, Lively has even more space to operate. His assist percentage is likely to keep climbing as he finds Klay on those "gravity" curls.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking his progress, stop looking at the PPG (Points Per Game). Instead, focus on his On-Off splits and Screen Assists. A "Lively Game" is one where he finishes +15 in a 3-point win while only taking four shots. That’s the blueprint.
🔗 Read more: Is Trae Young Injury Trouble Finally Over for the Hawks?
To get the full picture of his value, you have to watch how many times an opposing guard drives to the rim, sees Lively's shadow, and passes the ball out. That "stat" doesn't exist on a standard sheet, but it’s why the Mavericks are title contenders.
Keep an eye on his rebounding percentage, especially on the offensive glass. He’s been averaging nearly 3 offensive boards a game lately, which translates to extra possessions that Luka usually turns into three-pointers. That’s how you win championships.
Next Steps for Deep Diving into Mavs Metrics
- Check the Lineup Data: Look at the Net Rating for the Luka-Kyrie-Lively trio on NBA.com/stats; it's consistently among the best in the league.
- Track the "Short Roll": Watch the next Mavs game and count how many times Lively catches the ball at the elbow and makes a pass within one second.
- Follow the Block %: Compare his block percentage to other young centers like Victor Wembanyama or Chet Holmgren to see how he stacks up as a pure rim protector.