Mavericks’ Maxi Kleber questionable for season opener vs. Suns, Davis Bertans out

The injury report for the Dallas Mavericks’ season opener Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns includes a couple of last-minute additions.

Forward Maxi Kleber is questionable to play in Phoenix because of a non-COVID illness, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.

Davis Bertans, who has missed most of the preseason with a right knee effusion, and Frank Ntilikina, who did not travel with the team because of a right ankle effusion, are out.

Kleber’s potential absence as their second-unit power forward would be most impactful.

In the playoffs last season, Kleber’s 3-and-D skillset helped power series victories over the Utah Jazz and Suns. He shot 55.8% from the floor and 46.4% from three in seven second-round games to help upset Phoenix, and the Mavericks enter this season with high hopes for his frontcourt fit and spacing off the bench with new center Christian Wood.

Ntilikina’s injury could propel new signee Facundo Campazzo into immediate playing time as a reserve point guard if the Mavericks elect to rely on three ball handlers, as they did throughout the playoffs, to jumpstart the offense and diversify looks around superstar Luka Doncic.

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