Dallas Mavericks reserve power forward/center Maxi Kleber has been dealt a significant blow, as he will be out indefinitely due to a third-degree dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder. This unfortunate injury may sideline Kleber for the remainder of the Mavericks' playoff journey, a source close to the situation revealed.
The Mavericks are set to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals series, commencing on Tuesday night. Kleber's absence will be keenly felt, given his defensive prowess and ability to provide lineup flexibility for Dallas. In the first-round series against the LA Clippers, Kleber showcased his shooting skills by going 10-of-18 from beyond the arc.
The injury occurred during Friday's Game 6 victory over the Clippers, where Kleber took a hard fall early in the second quarter. Following a foul by Clippers forward Amir Coffey on a fast-break layup attempt, Kleber landed awkwardly on his shoulder. Despite the injury, Kleber managed to shoot his free throws before exiting the game shortly after.
Kleber, who had already missed a significant portion of the season due to a dislocated toe, has been a valuable role player for the Mavericks, particularly during their 2022 Western Conference finals run. His absence will undoubtedly pose a challenge for Dallas as they navigate through the playoffs without one of their key contributors.
