The Mavericks are slightly shorthanded for the West finals rematch with the Wolves

On October 30, 2024By Littum

The rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Mavericks will be played Tuesday night in Minneapolis, and Dallas will be without a couple of key role players.

Earlier Tuesday, the Mavericks ruled out guard Dante Exum (wrist) and forward Maxi Kleber (hamstring) with injuries. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are injury free and at full strength for the rematch.

Exum has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery on his right wrist earlier this month. Kleber played in the first two games of the season, but a hamstring kept him out Monday against the Jazz and he did not travel with the Mavericks to Minneapolis.

Mavs list Dante Exum (wrist) Maxi Kleber (hamstring) & Jazian Gortman (G League) as OUT tonight vs. MY.

Wolves report no injuries.

— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) 29 October 2024

Dallas defeated Utah on Monday night 110-102. Even though they are playing without Exum and Kleber, they are still one of the deeper teams in the league. Their starting five is intact with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford, with Derrick Lively, Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes and Naji Marshall getting minutes off the bench.

The game tips off at 6:40pm CT and will be televised locally on FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports North) and nationally on TNT, with Ian Eagle and Stan Van Gundy on the call.