Mavs’ Maxi Kleber Expected To Return For Game 4 vs. Wolves

May 28, 2024

Forward Maxi Kleber is expected to make his return to the Dallas Mavericks’ lineup for the Western Conference Finals Game 4 vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, per NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since May 3 with a separated shoulder. Of course, it hasn’t impacted the Mavs too terribly, given that they lead the series 3-0 and will advance to the NBA Finals to face the Boston Celtics with just one more victory.

There was a time when it appeared that Kleber’s season would be over after suffering the injury in Game 6 of the Mavs’ first-round series vs. the Los Angeles Clippers. But a deep playoff run apparently has given him the needed time to heal.

“Barring a late setback, Mavericks F Maxi Kleber (shoulder separation) is indeed on course to make his return to the lineup tonight in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals after being sidelined since May 3, league sources tell The Stein Line,” Stein wrote.

Kleber is averaging 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds over his last eight games.

In other injury news, the Mavs are expected to be without rookie big man Dereck Lively III, who suffered a neck sprain in Game 3 after being accidentally kneed in the head by Timberwolves power forward Karl-Anthony Towns.

Lively is officially listed as doubtful.

“At full strength, the Mavericks have three reliable center options. Lively and Daniel Gafford are their more traditional big men, who control the paint and win Dallas games with their rebounding, lob-finishing and rim-protection,” wrote Sam Quinn of CBS Sports. “Kleber, a 35.7% career 3-point shooter, is their curveball. Having him available to help space the floor in certain looks is very valuable, especially since he’s a capable perimeter defender.”