Maxi Kleber, a crucial player off the bench for the Mavericks, won't be hitting the court in the upcoming playoff round against Oklahoma City. His absence is due to a shoulder injury, specifically a full dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder. This unfortunate news was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and later confirmed by other sources.
This type of injury typically sidelines a player for a bit over a month, which means Kleber could potentially make a comeback if the Mavericks advance to the NBA Finals. His absence will be felt on the court, as he provided versatile defense with his 6'10" frame, which Jason Kidd heavily relied on in the last series. Additionally, Kleber's 3-point shooting forced opposing teams to respect his range.
In the upcoming series against the Thunder, Kidd might give more playing time to Dwight Powell. However, he might also need to tighten up his rotation and look to Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford for more contributions.
Kleber sustained his injury during the second quarter of Game 6 against the Clippers. He was going up for a shot when Amir Coffey slid under him in an attempt to draw a charge, causing Kleber to land awkwardly on his arm.
The Mavericks will face off against the Thunder in their second-round series, with the first game scheduled for Tuesday. Kleber's absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the team will look to adjust and continue their playoff push.
Login