MINNEAPOLIS — The Dallas Mavericks will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, anchored by Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, in the Western Conference Finals, and frontcourt size and depth will be key factors in this matchup. . Maxi Kleber remains sidelined as he recovers from a shoulder injury, and it is unclear when he will return.
Kleber remains questionable on the injury report from Game 1. He was injured in Game 6 of the first round of the playoff series between the Mavericks and the LA Clippers while attempting to finish far from the rim when Amir Coffey was fouled. he. Kleber stayed on the court and hit free throws to maintain his eligibility, but remained sidelined after testing his range of motion.
Kleber has been spotted running on a treadmill to keep his cardio going as he recovers, but it remains to be seen what his timeline for a return will be. He was originally scheduled to be re-evaluated three weeks after the injury occurred, but that was later moved to during this series after he missed the entire Western Conference semifinals.
With Kleber unavailable, the Mavericks face limited options at No. 4 against bigger teams. P.J. Washington will have to guard Karl-Anthony Towns and stay out of foul trouble without other options of comparable size currently in the team’s playoff rotation.
“Show me your hands, but use your body a little bit more. Obviously, show me your hands, but don’t reach too far,” Washington explained. “Try contesting every shot he takes and just make the tough shots.”
Washington just had a performance where he got into foul trouble early in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was able to overcome it and make important plays. He hit a well-timed 3-pointer late in the game and made the game-winning free throw, then was fouled three times before intentionally missing the last one to seal the victory.
After Washington ran into foul trouble, Dallas began deploying a four-guard lineup with options like Jaden Hardy, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Josh Green next to Kyrie Irving. Minnesota has the talent to get paid in a lineup like that.
Timberwolves starting point guard Mike Conley is doubtful to play in Game 1 due to a strained right soleus muscle, and he is also suffering from a serious injury.
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