Maxi

Kleber

After injuring his neck during Game 3, Lively did not play in Dallas’ loss in Game 4 on Tuesday. However, TNT did report that the rookie was making strides in his recovery, and a return for Game 5 was a realistic possibility. If Lively plays, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell may fall out of the rotation entirely.

With Dereck Lively II out with a sprained neck, it was evident that Gafford’s minutes would increase. The 31 minutes he played on Tuesday are the most for DG this postseason, and he was productive as a finisher, rebounder, and rim protector. Maxi Kleber played 13 of the remaining minutes, finishing with two points, one rebound, and one assist in his first game back from a separated shoulder. His minutes in Game 5 will be impacted by the status of Lively, who is trending toward being available to play on Thursday.

Kleber has been out since May 3, when he logged five minutes in the closeout Game 6 victory over the Clippers. His return is timely, as Dereck Lively II is out on Tuesday due to a neck injury sustained in Game 3.

Kleber injured his shoulder during the final game of Dallas’ first-round series with the Clippers and has not played since. Saturday marked three weeks since the injury, and Kleber was due to be re-evaluated then. The questionable tag suggests there’s a chance he’ll play on Tuesday, which would give Dallas another option to help account for Dereck Lively II’s potential absence. Lively is doubtful with a sprained neck, which he suffered during Sunday’s Game 3 victory.

There were reports on Saturday that Kleber would miss “a significant amount of time”, but if Dallas makes it to the Conference Finals, he could return during that series. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II will fill out the center minutes.

Kleber injured his shoulder on a hard fall taken during the first half of Friday’s Game 6 victory over the Clippers. The veteran forward, who played a vital role off the bench in Dallas’ series victory, has not officially been ruled out for the rest of the postseason. However, Kleber stands to miss a significant amount of time. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II should absorb most (if not all) of the minutes that would have gone to Kleber in Dallas’ second-round series against Oklahoma City. Game 1 is on Tuesday night.

Kleber fell hard on his right shoulder on a shot attempt after colliding with Clippers wing Amir Coffey. The veteran forward did stay in the game to shoot his free throws but was subbed out on the ensuing Clippers possession. Kleber’s absence means an increase in minutes for Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.

After scoring 15 points in the first four games of this series, Kleber matched that output in an impressive shooting performance in Game 5. While he did enter Wednesday shooting 4-of-8 from deep, to put up 15 points with solid volume was something the Clippers may not have expected from Kleber. Whether or not he can carry this performance over into Game 6 remains to be seen, but at the very least, Maxi has given the Clippers something else to think about as they prepare for Friday’s game.

Gafford is good to go despite missing Thursday’s practice. The Mavericks big man has struggled to produce against the Clippers so far and could take a back seat to Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber if he struggles.

Gafford only played nine minutes on Tuesday because of this back issue, and there is a chance that it keeps him on the sidelines entirely for Game 3. Even if he does play, he may have his minutes limited once again. Dereck Lively will certainly take on a larger role after having seven points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes. Maxi Kleber should also see extra minutes.