Dallas Mavericks injury updates: Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber
By Tyler Watts
The Dallas Mavericks were healthy for most of the season, but they have recently been bitten hard by the injury bug in December. They have had multiple players out for eight straight contests.
Josh Green injured his elbow on Dec. 9, and the injury will cost him his tenth straight game on Tuesday night. Maxi Kleber suffered a torn hamstring on Dec. 12 that will keep him out months and could end his season. Dorian Finney-Smith will miss his fourth straight game with a groin injury as the Knicks come to Dallas on Dec. 27. Kemba Walker has missed two straight games as it feels like the injury report has been massive in recent days.
Walker is set to return to the lineup against the Knicks, and head coach Jason Kidd gave updates on the other injured Mavericks before Tuesday’s tipoff. Here is a look at the latest and when fans can expect them to return.
Dallas Mavericks injury updates: Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber
Kleber will be out the longest and his torn hamstring has few NBA comps. Khris Middleton would be the closest, and he missed 133 days with the injury, per Jeff Stotts. Coach Kidd noted that Kleber was “doing well” post-surgery, but he would not travel with the team on their next road trip. Expect him to miss months of action.
Josh Green will be re-evaluated on Friday, which is consistent with the player noting that he would likely return sometime in the first part of 2023. He may need time some time to ramp up his conditioning after missing over three weeks of action, but Green is improving.
Kidd noted that Finney-Smith would miss at least two more weeks with his groin injury. He injured it against the Cavaliers on Dec. 17 and attempted to play through it before making it worse on Dec. 19. Doe-Doe will miss at least ten games with the injury, and it sounds like the earliest he could return would be Jan. 10 against the LA Clippers.
The Dallas Mavericks have been bitten hard by the injury bug, but they have still won three straight games, and they have a favorable schedule over the next week. Can Luka Doncic and company take advantage? Stay tuned to find out.