NBA PLAYOFFS
Why isn’t Mavs’ Maxi Kleber playing in Game 1 against Timberwolves today? Injury update
The Dallas Mavericks are still without Kleber, as the Texans visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals today.
Injured power forward Maxi Kleber remains out for the Dallas Mavericks, who today face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
What injury does Kleber have?
Kleber has been sidelined since 3 May, after hurting his shoulder in Game 6 of Dallas’ first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The 32-year-old sustained the injury when he landed awkwardly in the Mavericks’ 114-101 win over the Clippers, which sealed a 4-2 series triumph.
“An MRI revealed a right shoulder AC [acromioclavicular] joint separation,” Dallas said in a statement two days after eliminating Los Angeles, adding: “Kleber will be re-evaluated in three weeks.”
The German missed the entirety of the Conference Semi-Finals, in which the Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2 to reach the Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons.
When could Kleber return for Dallas?
Dallas head coach Jason Kidd has said that Kleber could still feature for the Texans this postseason. Speaking to reporters after Kleber was able to do some light shooting in Mavericks practice on Friday, Kidd said: “There is a possibility that he could return. It’s great to seem him get his cardio, his blood flow going and getting with the defensive slides. It’s all progress, it’s all going in the right direction.”
On Monday, Kleber was seen running on the treadmill during Dallas practice, with Kidd later telling reporters: “[He] looked good today.”
Who else is on the Mavericks’ injury report?
The Mavericks say star guard Luka Doncic is probable for Game 1 against the Timberwolves, as the 25-year-old continues to manage a right knee sprain and soreness in his left ankle. Doncic picked up the knee problem in Game 3 against the Clippers, before hurting his ankle in Game 2 against the Thunder.
Despite his fitness issues, the Slovenian has played in every postseason clash so far. Doncic registered 29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in the Mavericks’ series-clinching win over the Thunder on Saturday - his fourth triple-double this postseason.
Alongside Kleber, Olivier Maxence-Prosper is unavailable to Dallas through injury, as the Canadian recovers from an ankle problem that has kept him out since late April.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves: Game 1 start time, how to watch
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks visit the Minnesota Timberwolves today, Wednesday 22 May 2024, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT.
Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game on TNT, and can stream the action on the online platform fuboTV, which offers new users a free trial.
Enjoy the Mavericks vs the Timberwolves live on fuboTV.
When did the Mavs last reach the NBA Finals?
The Mavericks are bidding to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since lifting the franchise’s only championship in 2011. In the franchise’s only other Conference Finals in the intervening 13 years, they were beaten by the Golden State Warriors in 2022. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, haven’t made it to the Conference Finals since 2004 and have never qualified for the NBA Finals.