Maxi Kleber's Game 4 Return Even More Likely After Tuesday Morning Report

The Dallas Mavericks enter Tuesday with a chance to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately for Dallas, completing a sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves is now more difficult with big man Derrick Lively out due to a neck sprain.

However, fellow frontcourt member Maxi Kleber is nearing a return to the floor, and the latest update on the German forward brought even more good news with it.

NBA insider Marc Stein said Tuesday morning that "barring a setback" Kleber is "on course" to suit up for the first time since May 3, when he suffered this AC sprain in his right shoulder.

This just adds to the momentum around Kleber's pending return in Game 4. Stein said Monday night that Kleber had a "shot" to see limited minutes in this potential closeout content, and another positive report on his availability puts him in great position to take part in Tuesday's matchup.

Kleber's likely return against Minnesota helps strengthen a frontcourt that just lost its leading man in Lively. The rookie has helped make things very difficult for Wolves center Karl Anthony-Towns this series, who's failed to score more than 16 points any contest so far.

Now, Kleber doesn't exactly match Lively's 7-foot-1 size, but he has his own legitimate presence at 6-foot-10. He's also a rangy defender who makes the Mavs better on that side of the floor, which is exactly what Dallas needs with Lively out and the Doncic-Irving duo carrying the offense.

Don't expect Kleber to play a ton in Game 4, or to make an overwhelming impact since he'll have rust to shake off, but his availability certainly puts the Mavericks in a better position while Lively is sidelined.

Ahead of tip-off, FanDuel Sportsbook is projecting a tight battle with an NBA Finals berth on the line. FD lists the Mavs as slight 2-point favorites (-108 to cover) and -126 on the moneyline, compared to the underdog T-Wolves at +108 to win.

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