Dallas Mavericks in brutal injury update as forward Maxi Kleber is set to miss remainder of NBA playoffs
DALLAS Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the NBA playoffs due to injury.
The 32-year-old NBA power forward reportedly dislocated his shoulder following the Mavericks' Game 6 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
During the second quarter, Kleber suffered the injury on a drive to the basket.
He landed on his shoulder after being fouled by Clippers forward Amir Coffey on the fast-break layup attempt.
Kleber shot the two free throws after the injury but exited the game one possession later.
It was reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania that Kleber suffered a full shoulder dislocation in Dallas' Game 6 elimination win.
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Due to the severity of the injury, Kleber could be out for the remainder of the playoffs.
The Mavericks will be taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
They'll 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 win.
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This season, Kleber averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 43 appearances.
In the 2021-22 playoffs, Kleber contributed to the team's Western Conference Finals run.
He averaged close to nine points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Kleber began his NBA career in 2017 when he signed with the Mavericks after playing overseas for the previous six years.
The 2023-24 Mavericks will have their depth tested after Kleber's injury.
They'll have to rely on Dwight Powell, Markieff Morris, rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and Daniel Gafford among others.
Dallas has counted on superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Both have averaged more than 26 points per game in the 2023 postseason.
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The Mavericks will play the Thunder on Tuesday at 9:30 pm ET.
Oklahoma City finished with the No. 1 seed in the regular season.