The Dallas Mavericks will be without forward Maxi Kleber for the foreseeable future due to a third-degree dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder.
According ESPN’s Tim McMahon, Kleber, 32, could miss the remainder of the Mavericks’ postseason run due to the injury he suffered during the second quarter of Game 6 on Friday. Kleber landed on his shoulder after a foul by Los Angeles Clippers forward Amir Coffey.
Kleber made one of his two free throws after the knockdown, but then left the game.
“Next man up,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Friday when asked about the possibility of losing a key piece up front.
The Mavericks won the game 114-101 and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round starting Tuesday.
In six playoff games, Kleber has averaged 5.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.4 minutes per game. He was 10 of 18 from 3-point range during the series, which Dallas won in six games.
Kleber played only 43 regular-season games for the Mavericks after missing considerable time with a dislocated toe.