Linchpin of Dallas Mavericks defense remains out after All-Star break

Dallas Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber suffered a torn hamstring in practice on Dec. 13. The injury was so bad that Kleber had to have surgery to repair it, and nobody knew what to expect from his recovery. Injury expert Jeff Stotts noted the injury is uncommon in the NBA, and there were rumblings Kleber would miss the remainder of the season.

The 6’10 big man quickly changed that narrative by vowing to return to play after the All-Star break. Fans have seen him working out on the court before games, and everyone was hoping he would be ready when the Mavs return to action on Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

The team was back for practice on Wednesday, and Kleber was ruled out for the Feb. 23 game. He is nearing a return, but the 31-year-old needs to clear a few final hurdles before getting back into game action. Get the latest injury updates here.

Linchpin of Dallas Mavericks defense Maxi Kleber remains out after All-Star break

Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News reported that Kleber would miss the Mavs' first two games after the All-Star break. He needs more practice time, and the team will be monitoring closely how his hamstring responds to the increased workload before putting him out there in a game.

Head coach Jason Kidd noted that Kleber practiced on Wednesday, and the team is hopeful that he can play during their six-game homestand coming out of the All-Star break. The Mavericks do not head out on the road until March 8, which is two weeks away.

The Dallas Mavericks need Maxi Kleber back in the lineup. He has missed 33 consecutive games with his hamstring injury, and the team’s defense has taken a massive dip during that stretch. Kleber’s ability to defend on the perimeter and protect the rim is needed, and the Mavs cannot get him back soon enough. Stay tuned for all the latest updates.