Kleber (ankle) will not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Jazz.
Kleber has yet to suit up for any of Dallas' two preseason games, and while his next chance to feature will come against the Clippers on Monday, it wouldn't be surprising if he misses another game or two. He's working to be ready for the start of the regular season against the Spurs on Oct. 24, but even in the scenario he's healthy for the first game of the campaign, he'd have a minimal role at best.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Out Monday
Rotowire
Kleber (ankle) will not play in Monday's preseason game against Memphis.
Kleber has yet to return to practice after tweaking his ankle early in training camp. With so much competition in the frontcourt, Kleber is looking at a minimal role at best this season.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Battling ankle sprain
Rotowire
Kleber did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle sprain, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Coach Jason Kidd noted that Kleber is "a little ways away" from returning to practice, so his ankle sprain is notable despite training camp having just begun. Dallas is well-stocked at center, and Dwight Powell should absorb more third-string practice reps in Kleber's absence.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Takes on limited role in return
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) played 13 minutes and finished with two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in Tuesday's 105-100 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Mavericks were without backup center Dereck Lively (neck) for Game 4, but the return of Kleber from an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder -- which he suffered in Game 6 of the opening-round series against the Clippers -- helped restore some depth in the frontcourt. Kleber and Dwight Powell (three minutes) saw only light run behind Daniel Gafford (31 minutes) and P.J. Washington (42 minutes), and if Lively is back for Game 5 on Thursday, Kleber could see his playing time decline further.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Cleared for Game 4
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Timberwolves, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Kleber has been on the sidelines since May 3 with an AC joint separation, but he returned to practice Monday. The fact that the Mavericks are clearing him to play prior to warmups is also a good sign. Kleber could absorb some of the minutes that Dereck Lively (neck) was getting recently.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Deemed questionable for Game 4
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) is questionable for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Kleber has been sidelined since May 3 due to an AC joint separation, but he's closing in on a return to action. He participated in Monday's practice session and will be in the mix to return to game action Tuesday, although the Mavericks will likely monitor his status ahead of tipoff before officially determining his availability. Even if Kleber isn't cleared for Tuesday's matchup, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return later in the Western Conference Finals, if necessary, or for a potential run in the NBA Finals.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Ramps up activity
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) participated in Monday's practice, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Kleber appears to be progressing towards an eventual return after being diagnosed with a AC joint separation earlier this month. More clarity on Kleber's status is expected when the Mavericks release their official injury report Monday evening ahead of Tuesday's Game 4 tilt against Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Out again Sunday
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) won't play Sunday in Game 3 of the Mavericks' Western Conference Finals series with the Timberwolves.
Kleber is dealing with a right AC joint separation and remains without a clear timetable to return. His next chance to play will be Tuesday for Game 4.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Out for Game 2
Rotowire
Kleber (shoulder) won't play Friday in Game 2 of the Mavericks' Western Conference Finals series with the Timberwolves.
Kleber remains without an official timetable to return from the right AC joint separation he sustained earlier this month. The Mavericks haven't indicated whether Kleber has a chance at playing in the series, but his status will continue to be evaluated on a game-by-game basis.
... See More... See Less
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Out at least three weeks
Rotowire
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: 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.
