About four minutes into the Dallas Mavericks' recent contest against the Denver Nuggets, starting center Dereck Lively left the contest with an ankle injury. Ev

Like two ships in the night. The Dallas Mavericks get one guy back, and almost just as soon lose another. Mavs center Dereck Lively II suffered a sprained right ankle in Tuesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets and exited the floor with the training staff.

They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Mavericks 96-79. The Nuggets entered the game having won three straight and they're just one quarter away from another. Will they make it four,

The Denver Nuggets head back to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in the second of a two game set. The Nuggets are 23-15, which puts them in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Mavs are 22-17, which puts them directly behind Denver in fifth place.

The last two teams to win the Western Conference meet up for the second time in three days when the Dallas Mavericks host the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.