The Mavericks announced Sunday that Kleber (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a right shoulder AC joint separation and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
As expected, Kleber will miss significant time after a scary fall during the Mavericks' series-clinching Game 6 win over the Clippers on Friday. Given the timetable, Kleber will miss all of the second-round series against Oklahoma City and would likely remain sidelined for at least the first few games of the Western Conference Finals if Dallas can advance past the top-seeded Thunder.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Likely out for postseason
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) is expected to miss a significant amount of time, if not the entire postseason, due to a full dislocation of his right AC joint, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Kleber suffered the injury in Friday's Game 6 victory over the Clippers. Barring a quick turnaround, it looks like Dallas will need to start planning to be without him going forward. As a result, Derrick Jones and Josh Green are candidates to see increased roles providing depth behind P.J. Washington at power forward.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Doubtful to return
Rotowire
Kleber is doubtful to return to Friday's Game 6 against the Clippers due to a right shoulder sprain, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Barring a quick, surprising turnaround, Kleber is unlikely to return to Friday's contest. Given the nature of the injury, a return for a potential Game 7 on Sunday could be up in the air as well. In Kleber's absence, Derrick Jones could see some extra minutes providing depth at power forward.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Lands five triples in win
Rotowire
Kleber accumulated 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-7 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist over 19 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 win over the Clippers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Kleber connected on five three-pointers, helping guide the Mavericks to a comfortable victory. After coming up short in front of their home fans, Dallas was able to make easy work of the Clippers in Los Angeles. The two teams will face off again Friday, where the Mavericks will look to atone for the Game 4 loss.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Will play vs. Clippers on Sunday
Rotowire
Kleber (back) is not on the official injury report and will be available for Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Clippers on Sunday.
Kleber didn't play in the Mavericks' final game of the regular season because the training staff wanted him to rest a lingering back injury. He shouldn't have any limitations for the series opener against the Clippers on Sunday and should handle his regular workload off the bench as a frontcourt option behind Daniel Gafford.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Kleber is out for Sunday's game against the Thunder due to low back spasms.
The Mavericks have already clinched a postseason berth and a matchup against the Clippers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, so they're not going to risk any of their rotation pieces, and Kleber fits that mold even if he hasn't been a regular starter this season. Kleber ends the regular season with averages of 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists across 20.3 minutes per game in 43 appearances (seven starts).
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Set to play against Miami
Rotowire
Kleber (back) is available for Wednesday's game versus the Heat, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Kleber will suit up for his third straight game Wednesday after being upgraded from probable to available despite dealing with back spasms. Kleber should continue to serve as one of Dallas' primary backups in the frontcourt.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Kleber (back) is probable for Wednesday against the Heat.
Wednesday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set and Kleber's back spasms are still a mild concern, but the Mavericks anticipate that the forward will suit up. Kleber is averaging 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in four April outings.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Questionable for Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Kleber (back) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Hornets.
Kleber returned from a one-game absence during Sunday's matchup against Houston, but he continues to deal with back spasms ahead of Tuesday's game. He saw plenty of playing time against the Rockets and totaled nine points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 30 minutes during the win.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Good to go Sunday
Rotowire
Kleber (back) is active for Sunday's game versus Houston.
Kleber is set to return from a one-game absence due to back spasms, bringing valuable reinforcement to a center rotation dealing with an extended absence from Dereck Lively (knee). Kleber has compiled seven points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 38 minutes across his last two contests without Lively.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Deemed questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Kleber (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Rockets.
Kleber sat out Friday against the Warriors, marking his first missed game since Feb. 28. He's considered day-to-day, however, and could return to the lineup Sunday if he makes it through shootaround and warmups without any setbacks.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Won't suit up Friday
Rotowire
Kleber (back) won't play Friday against the Warriors, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Kleber will miss his first game since Feb. 28 due to back spasms and is considered day-to-day. Dwight Powell should see a heightened role as the Mavericks' backup center Friday with both Kleber and Dereck Lively (knee) sitting out.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Questionable for Friday
Rotowire
Kleber is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Warriors due to back spasms.
It's unclear when Kleber suffered his injury, but he is in danger of missing his first contest since Feb. 28 on Friday. If Kleber is ruled out, Dwight Powell, Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington are candidates to receive increased playing time.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Available Friday
Rotowire
Kleber (knee) will be available for Friday's game versus the Kings.
Kleber was in danger of missing his first game since Feb. 28 due to right knee soreness, but he will ultimately play through it. Barring any setbacks, look for him to take on his usual workload providing depth in the frontcourt.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Questionable for Friday
Rotowire
Kleber (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Kings.
Kleber has been listed as "questionable" the past two games due to a sore right knee, but he's been playing through it, so he feels a bit closer to probable. We should get another update on Kleber following Friday's shootaround.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Kleber (knee) is good to go for Tuesday's game against the Kings, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Kleber was carrying a questionable tag before this update, but it's a good sign if the Mavericks are letting him play the second leg of their back-to-back set. In March, Kleber is averaging 18.2 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
Kleber (knee) has been cleared for Monday's game against Utah.
Kleber was dealing with right knee soreness, but he will suit up to join a fully healthy Dallas frontcourt for Monday's contest. Kleber is averaging 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 20.3 minutes across his last three games.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Dealing with right knee soreness
Rotowire
Kleber is questionable for Monday's game against Utah due to right knee soreness, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Kleber's status will need to be monitored entering a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday against Utah and Sacramento, respectively. Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford would see slight upticks in roles if Kleber is unable to suit up.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Available for Thursday
Rotowire
Kleber (knee) is available for Thursday's game against Miami.
Kleber saw just 15 minutes of floor time his last time out, so it'll be interesting to see if his workload returns to the mid-20s for this one. He's scored a total of seven points on 1-of-9 shooting over his past four appearances, which tells you about all you need to know about his fantasy value.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Expected to play against Miami
Rotowire
Kleber (knee) is listed as probable for Thursday's game versus the Heat.
Kleber continues to deal with a nagging knee injury but isn't expected to miss Thursday's contest. If the 31-year-old big man is upgraded to available, he should serve as one of Dallas' primary bench options in the frontcourt.
