Dallas Mavericks in Brutal Injury Update as Forward Maxi Kleber Expected to Miss Rest of NBA Playoffs

DALLAS Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the NBA playoffs due to injury.

The 32-year-old NBA forward reportedly dislocated his shoulder following the Mavericks’ Game 6 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

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In the second quarter, Kleber suffered the injury on a drive for the basket.

He landed on his shoulder after being fouled by Clippers forward Amir Coffey on a counterattack attempt.

Kleber made both free throws after the injury, but left the game one possession later.

It was reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that Kleber suffered a total dislocation of his shoulder in Dallas’ Game 6 elimination victory.

Due to the severity of the injury, Kleber could be out until the end of the playoffs.

The Mavericks will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

They will be without Kleber, who averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game in Dallas’ first-round series.

In Game 5, Kleber hit five three-pointers in the team’s victory.

This season, Kleber averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 43 games.

In the 2021–22 playoffs, Kleber contributed to the team’s run to the Western Conference Finals.

He averaged nine points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Kleber began his NBA career in 2017 when he signed with the Mavericks after playing overseas the previous six years.

The 2023-24 Mavericks will have their depth tested following Kleber’s injury.

They will have to rely on Dwight Powell, Markieff Morris, rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Daniel Gafford, among others.

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Dallas featured stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Both have averaged more than 26 points per game in the 2023 postseason.

The Mavericks will play the Thunder on Tuesday at 9:30 pm ET.

Oklahoma City finished first in the regular season.