Key Mavericks piece likely out for remainder of playoffs with injury

Mar 22, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The remainder of the Dallas Mavericks’ playoff run will likely have to come without one important frontcourt piece.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Saturday that Dallas Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber has suffered a full dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder. Kleber will be out for a “significant” period as a result and may miss the entire postseason, Charania adds.

Kleber was injured in the Mavericks’ series-clinching Game 6 win over the LA Clippers on Friday. Clippers forward Amir Coffey stepped in to take a charge on a driving Kleber in the second quarter, and Kleber crashed to the hardwood awkwardly.

Here is the video.

Amir Coffey hard foul on Maxi Kleber, ruled a common foul 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/Fvxlv6kMyX

— SM 🫡 (@SMHighlights1) May 4, 2024

The 32-year-old Kleber was a fireball from deep during the series against the Clippers, hitting 10 three-pointers on 18 attempts (55.5 percent). His ability to space the floor at 6-foot-10 and knock down open treys when the Clippers collapsed on Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic was enormous in shifting the momentum of the series.

Kleber might not have necessarily been as crucial in the Mavs’ upcoming second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder since rebounding and interior play will be key against the undersized Thunder. But that is still a loss that really hurts Dallas from a lineup flexibility standpoint, and now some of their recent frontcourt acquisitions will have to step up instead.