The last few weeks have been absolutely wild for the Dallas Mavericks.
While we've seen Luka Doncic return from injury and go back to playing like his usual self, we've also seen a handful of players go down and miss time due to an illness that has been lingering in the locker room for nearly two weeks.
While we've already seen Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II (one half against the Atlanta Hawks) all miss time due to illness, and a new player has joined this list ahead of the Mavs' game against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.
Maxi Kleber has been ruled out with an illness for tonight's game, and he joins Jaden Hardy (ankle sprain), Marshall (illness), and Dante Exum (wrist surgery) on the list of players who will miss tonight's game. This illness has been no joke over the last two weeks or so, and now they'll have to find a way to replace Kleber's production.
Even though Kleber has not played well on offense recently, his defense is still serviceable. Dallas always misses him while he's out, and Jason Kidd's belief is still there considering that he is still in the rotation despite not making a shot over the last five games (107 minutes of playing time). His versatility on defense and ability to play the small-ball five has been huge for the Mavs over the years, but he is starting to slow down on both ends.
The confidence that Kleber had during the playoffs last season is nowhere to be found, and his inability to stay on the floor is hurting the Mavs. He already missed a decent chunk of games earlier in the season with a hamstring strain, and now this illness has come upon him.
Fans must remember that returning from illness also requires the player to get back in playing shape and improve their conditioning, and that is going to be especially true for Marshall. He has missed the last three and a half games with this illness, and he wasn't feeling great even before he went out. Tonight marks the fourth game in a row that Marshall will be sidelined, and even though he has been outstanding this season, the Mavs have been finding a way to win without him.
Dallas has won 10 of their last 11 games, and they are a team that no one wants to have to play against right now. Kyrie Irving and Doncic are rolling, and the bench has been outstanding.
Grimes and Gafford have made huge impacts recently, and their short absences with illness have been overshadowed by them making valiant returns to the rotation.
This illness truly won't leave the Mavs alone, but they are answering this adversity with wins. Dallas will look to keep this winning streak alive tonight against the Raptors and prove that this locker room sickness can't hold them back.