Maxi Kleber (knee) out vs. Sixers: What does it mean for Mavericks?

The Dallas Mavericks were preparing to face the Philadelphia 76ers in an important game as they looked to get back on track after losing two straight when Maxi Kleber was ruled out for the contest. The news came down less than an hour before tipoff as the team listed it as left knee effusion.

Injury expert Jeff Stotts noted effusion is a “fancy word for swelling”. Kleber is a key piece for the Mavericks. The team took off after inserting him into the starting five at the start of the 2022 calendar year, and they will miss the 6’11 for however long he is on the sidelines.

Here is a closer look at what the injury means for Maxi Kleber and who needs to step up for the Mavericks with Kristaps Porzingis, Sterling Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. also out.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber out with knee injury: Who steps up?

Kleber has missed 16 of the first 53 games this season. He sat nine games in November with an oblique issue before spending six contests in the health and safety protocols in December. The 30-year-old played in just 50 of the team’s 72 regular-season games last season and was hampered by an Achilles injury in the postseason. Dallas needs to keep Kleber healthy for the playoffs.

Expect the Mavericks to take a cautious approach with his latest injury. They will likely hold Kleber out until the swelling subsides, but stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

Dallas is without their two best rim protectors against the Sixers on Feb. 4.
Head coach Jason Kidd decided to go small with Reggie Bullock replacing Kleber in the starting five. Expect Marquese Chris and Dwight Powell to see their minutes bumped as the Mavs look to slow down Joel Embiid. Boban Marjanovic might even get a shot against the Sixers MVP candidate.

Hopefully, Maxi Kleber makes a speedy recovery and is back in the lineup for the Dallas Mavericks' next game. Keep it locked to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.