Mavericks news: Maxi Kleber has surgery, Dorian Finney-Smith injury update, more

Dallas Mavericks fans knew Maxi Kleber would miss significant time after tearing his hamstring, but the news got worse on Dec. 20 as it was announced he underwent surgery. The team announced that there was no timetable for his return, but supporters can expect him to miss months of action.

Jeff Stotts noted that a hamstring tear is an uncommon injury in the NBA, and the best comparison for Kleber’s injury is Khris Middleton, who missed over four months of action. Every injury is different, but this could be a season-ending injury for Kleber.

The Dallas Mavericks are just 2-9 without Maxi Kleber this season, and they have won just one of four games since he suffered this hamstring tear in practice on Dec. 13. Kleber is the team’s best and most versatile defender, and the Mavs will have to try to figure out how to win without the 6’10 forward.

More Mavericks news

Dorian Finney-Smith will miss his first game of the season on Wednesday night as the Mavericks face the Timberwolves for the second straight game. He injured his adductor on Monday night, and it sounds like Doe-Doe will miss multiple games.

The Mavs reached the conference finals last season by playing better defense, but their D will be tested without Kleber, Finney-Smith, and Josh Green on Dec. 21. Reggie Bullock will be asked to do more, but getting stops could be problematic over the next couple of weeks until Finney-Smith and Green return.

NBA news

The biggest news of the day was Mat Ishbia agreeing to purchase the Phoenix Suns for $4 billion. It ends Robert Sarver’s checkered tenure as owner. Ishbia played basketball at Michigan State, and he has pursued multiple teams over the years. The sale price is the largest in NBA history.

Atlanta Hawks president Travis Schlenk is moving into an advisory role with Landry Fields taking over the day-to-day duties of the team. Schlenk did a tremendous job rebuilding the Hawks, and Fields will now take over as the team looks to take the next step.

The Dallas Mavericks face the Timberwolves in Minnesota for the second straight game on Wednesday night. Can Luka Doncic and company get a bit of revenge? Tune in to find out.