NBA Rumors: Mavericks Handed Major Boost Amid News Of Practice Facility Shutdown

KEY POINTS

The Dallas Mavericks shut down their practice facility after Maxi Kleber tested positive for COVID-19
Kleber joins three other Maverick players in quarantine
Kristaps Porzingis could be available for the Mavericks' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday

The Dallas Mavericks decided to shut their practice facility on Sunday morning in light of Maxi Kleber’s positive COVID-19 test, which was the second in the space of five days.

The bad news about the shutdown, however, was followed by some positive updates with regards to player availability for the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

The team conducted contact tracing after Kleber contracted the virus to determine if any other member of the team will have to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols, which requires a minimum of a seven-day quarantine with no positive test.

According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, no other Mavericks player will have to undergo the aforementioned routine and has been given the clearance ahead of the game versus the Pelicans.

Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Richardson were all quarantined after one of them contracted the virus. They have gone into isolation in Denver, where the Mavericks defeated the Nuggets in overtime on Thursday night.

Kleber is now expected to miss at least 10 to 14 days. The power forward started and played 24 minutes in the Mavericks’ home win over the Orlando Magic this past Saturday.

Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters that he expects the game to go ahead as planned on Monday night. He cited the scenario when the Philadelphia 76ers played the Nuggets on Saturday despite having just seven healthy players.

Meanwhile, in what is a major boost to the Mavericks, Latvian cager Kristaps Porzingis has been listed as questionable for the first time this season. He has recovered from the knee injury he sustained during the playoffs last season.

Porzingis, according to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, has been listed among the likely starters when the Mavericks take on the Pelicans.

Head coach Rick Carlisle and the squad will go into the contest, seeking their fifth win in six outings with star man Luka Doncic averaging a triple-double in his last three appearances.