The Dallas Mavericks’ injury woes have been relentless this season, with another star or role player hurt almost every week. The team’s injury list continues to grow, and Dallas is expected to be without six players on Monday, including Dante Exum and Luka Dončić.
Maxi Kleber has now joined the list of injured players after sustaining a right foot fracture in Saturday’s game against the Boston Celtics. Kleber was forced to leave late in the third quarter after a hard fall, and the injury is expected to keep him out for an extended period. This setback is particularly challenging for Kleber and the Mavericks, as it’s not the first time he has been injured this season.
The center position is already thin, and Kleber’s injury leaves a significant gap. Earlier in the week, the Mavericks also announced that Dereck Lively II suffered an ankle fracture, which will sideline him for a while. Additionally, Dwight Powell has been out with a right hip strain since last week. To address the lack of depth, the team signed Kylor Kelley to a two-way contract while waiving Jazian Gortman, and Kelley may see playing time on Monday.
Despite the growing list of injuries, the Mavericks remain calm and composed, refusing to panic. The team believes the injuries are temporary and that they will return to their full strength over time. Dallas has made major moves in recent years, but it doesn’t seem like they’ll make any hasty decisions this season.
Mavs’ general manager Nico Harrison addressed this mindset on “The Mavs Stepback” podcast last week. He said, “We look at everything, but we’re not going to be reactionary to a short-term injury.” His comments have given fans hope, as Harrison remains confident the team can bounce back.
“We really do like our team,” Harrison said. “I’m an optimistic person, so I try to look at the silver lining. It’s better to be injured now and not be injured in the playoffs. So, if you’re injured now, chances are you’re going to be healthy when it matters.”
Harrison’s perspective may hold weight. Luka Dončić’s goal is to return before the All-Star Break, and if that happens, there’s no reason to panic.
Historically, Dallas tends to heat up after the All-Star Break. Last season, they went 18-9 after the break, gaining momentum and going on winning streaks. This fueled their 12-5 run in the first three rounds of the playoffs, culminating in their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011.
If the Mavericks get their key players back in time, they could still make a strong run in the Western Conference, which remains tightly packed. They’re currently 2.5 games out of the fifth spot and 4.5 games behind third place.
Until then, Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford will play crucial roles in keeping the Mavericks competitive. If they, along with the rest of the team, can improve on closing out late games, Dallas should be able to stay in the playoff race. The journey begins on Monday when they face the Washington wizards at home.
