Maxi Kleber’s injury status is uncertain ahead of the Mavericks’ game against the Jazz. Could Dallas turn to small-ball lineups with P.J. Washington or Naji Marshall at center?
PHOENIX — The Dallas Mavericks are closely monitoring forward Maxi Kleber’s status after he sustained a right hamstring injury during their 114-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.
Kleber, who exited midway through the fourth quarter, contributed 2 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists over 16 minutes before being ruled out. The Mavericks listed him as questionable for Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz, with an update expected during head coach Jason Kidd’s pre-game media session.
The injury to Kleber comes as Dallas faces a compressed schedule: three games in four nights. With no practice on Sunday, the Mavericks returned to Dallas ahead of Monday’s matchup.
Kleber, known for his defensive versatility and outside shooting, has averaged 2.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 15.5 minutes per game through the season’s first two games. His potential absence could impact Dallas’ frontcourt rotation, prompting the team to explore small-ball lineups.
Head coach Jason Kidd has previously mentioned that the Mavericks feel comfortable sliding either P.J. Washington or Naji Marshall to the center position if necessary. Against the Suns, the team deployed both players next to Luka Dončić, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving after Kleber was sidelined.
“We have 48 minutes of protection at the center; we can slide Maxi into that situation,” Kidd said recently. “And even PJ, if we want to go small, if there’s a team out there that’s going to play small, we feel we can play small.”
The Mavericks’ depth has already been tested with guard Danté Exum sidelined as he recovers from right wrist surgery. Exum did participate in limited on-court activity during Saturday’s shootaround, using only his left hand, as he continues his rehabilitation.
As Dallas prepares to face Utah, Kidd may have to adjust his lineup depending on Kleber’s availability. Should Kleber be sidelined, Washington and Marshall could see additional minutes as part of a small-ball approach, giving the Mavericks options to maintain their defensive versatility and spacing.
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