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Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber out indefinitely due to hamstring tear

Dallas Mavericks v Milwaukee Bucks

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 27: Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the second half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 27, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

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Maxi Kleber has grown into a solid part of the Mavericks rotation, their best defensive big man and a guy coach Jason Kidd could trust on both ends of the floor. Now Kidd will have to get by without him for the foreseeable future.

Kleber is out indefinitely due to a hamstring tear, the team announced.

There are not a lot of medical details in the team release, but Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes suggested the low end is more than a month and, depending on where the tear is and if he needs surgery, it could be a couple of months or longer.

This is not good news for the Mavericks’ defense (which is already 20th in the league). Kleber has averaged 6.2 points and 3.5 rebounds a game, shooting 36.9% from 3, while playing 25.6 minutes a night. This could mean more Christian Wood — who Kidd clearly does not trust defensively — and might mean JaVale McGee ends up back in the rotation.

The Mavericks are 14-14 and sit ninth in the West despite Luka Doncic playing at an MVP level.