Dallas Mavericks big man Maxi Kleber is expected to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, barring a late setback ahead of the game. Kleber is returning from a separated shoulder that occurred in Game 6 of the first round.

Kleber has been out since that first-round series clincher on May 3. At one point, it looked like Kleber's season might be over. However, the Mavericks said that Kleber's return would be dependent on his recovery and how deep the team's playoff run goes.

Dallas is on the verge of clinching a trip to the 2024 NBA Finals. The Mavericks lead the Timberwolves 3-0 heading into Tuesday's Game 4 in Dallas.

Dereck Lively II was listed as doubtful for Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a sprained neck.

Lively was cleared from having a serious injury and has not entered the league's concussion protocol.

Maxi Kleber, who has not played since the first round due to a separated right shoulder, is questionable for the game. 

The Mavs lead the series 3-0. 

Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II was cleared of having a serious neck injury, after leaving Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals early. Lively's status for Game 4 of the series on Tuesday is unclear at this point.

Lively was injured during a collision with Karl-Anthony Towns in the first half of Game 3. Towns' knee hit Lively in the back of the head, after the rookie center had fallen to the floor.

Lively has been a key member of the Mavericks rotation all season. In 15 playoff games, the Duke product has averaged 8.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game off the Dallas bench.

The Mavericks took a 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Dallas has a chance to close out the series at home on Tuesday.

Maxi Kleber could return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup for the NBA Finals, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Kleber has been out since suffering a separated shoulder during Game 6 of the first round.

The Mavs are currently up 3-0 against the Wolves.

The NBA Finals will start on June 6. 

Host Danny Leroux talks with Jared Dubin of Last Night in Basketball about the playoffs and Fred Katz of The Athletic about the Knicks.

Dubin and Leroux discuss both Conference Finals series and other playoff takeaways. After that, the “Exit Interview” series continues as Katz joins to break down what happened to the Knicks’ season and where they go from here, including Jalen Brunson’s ascendance, their fascinating offseason and much more.

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Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged 7.02 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

That number is down 5% from the Lakers-Nuggets opener from last season.

The game, which peaked at 8.69 million viewers, is the second-largest audience of the playoffs.

Game 1 between the Pacers and Celtics averaged 6.48 million viewers.

Luka Doncic is eligible to sign a $346 super max extension in 2025 after making the 2024 All-NBA First Team.

It would be the largest contract in NBA history, with Doncic eligible to make $78 million in the 2030-31 season.

The NBA salary cap is also likely to eclipse $200 million in the 2028-29 season. 

Host Danny Leroux and Dan Feldman of Dunc’d On Prime break down the NBA playoffs then Derek Bodner of PHLY comes on to discuss the 76ers.

Leroux and Feldman discuss the just-ended Mavericks/Thunder series, where the Thunder go from here, what lessons teams can learn from the 2023 offseason and much more while Bodner and Leroux go in-depth on how this 76ers season went for the key figures, Joel Embiid’s present and future and their offseason possibilities.

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After missing the playoffs in 2023, the Dallas Mavericks reshaped their roster and are one win away from returning to the Western Conference Finals. There were fears that Luka Doncic could request a trade as early as the 2024 offseason if significant improvement didn't occur and those concerns now appear to be put to rest.

Dallas remade their roster over the past 15 months with trades for Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, while also drafting Dereck Lively II and signing Derrick Jones Jr.

"This team is special," Doncic said. "We've only been together for what, five months, and I'm having a lot of fun with this team."

Doncic will be eligible to sign a supermax extension with the Mavericks during the 2025 offseason.

Derrick Jones Jr. signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a veteran minimum contract. He's outplayed that deal to become a key starter for Dallas during their playoff run.

Now, Jones hopes to return to the Mavericks as a free agent, but understands the team is limited in what they can offer him.

“He loves his teammates, he loves Jason Kidd, he really likes the front office, (Mavericks president) Nico (Harrison) and Matt Riccardi,” Jones agent Aaron Turner said. “He wants to be back.”

Jones started in 66 of the 76 games he played this season. He averaged a career-high 8.6 points per game on 48% shooting, including a career-best 34% on three-pointers. In 10 playoff games, Jones has upped his scoring a bit to 8.9 points, while also adding 1.5 blocks per game.