Lakers forward Maxi Kleber (foot) is officially out for tomorrow’s game against the Timberwolves, according to Jovan Buha. Team adjusts frontcourt rotation.
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without a key piece of their frontcourt when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Maxi Kleber has officially been ruled out due to a foot injury. The news, first reported by Jovan Buha of The Athletic, comes at a crucial time for a Lakers team still trying to establish consistency as the regular season winds down and the playoff picture becomes more defined.
Kleber’s absence creates a ripple effect throughout the Lakers’ rotation, impacting their interior defense, floor spacing, and overall game plan against a Timberwolves squad that has proven to be one of the West’s most formidable units this season. With Anthony Davis shouldering the bulk of the frontcourt responsibilities, the Lakers coaching staff will need to make strategic adjustments to account for the loss of the versatile big man.
The Injury and Kleber’s Status
Kleber has been dealing with lingering foot soreness that has hampered his ability to play at full capacity over the past few games. Though he tried to play through the discomfort, the team medical staff and head coach Darvin Ham made the decision to hold him out of the upcoming contest to prevent further aggravation and to ensure his availability for the stretch run.
While the Lakers have not yet provided a definitive timetable for his return, they are expected to evaluate him on a day-to-day basis. This cautious approach is consistent with how the organization has handled injuries throughout the season, particularly for veterans or key rotational players who are crucial to postseason success.
Kleber’s Role with the Lakers
Since arriving in Los Angeles via trade from the Dallas Mavericks, Kleber has quietly carved out a meaningful role for the Lakers. Known for his ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions, the 6-foot-10 forward has become an essential piece of the Lakers’ frontcourt puzzle.
Kleber’s shooting touch from beyond the arc makes him a valuable floor spacer alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James. His ability to knock down corner threes forces defenders to stay honest, opening up driving lanes for the Lakers’ stars. Defensively, Kleber offers versatility that few big men possess—he can switch onto smaller guards, hold his own in the post, and rotate quickly to contest shots at the rim.
This unique skill set has allowed the Lakers to experiment with different lineups and styles of play. Whether they go big with Davis and Kleber on the floor together, or play small with Kleber as a stretch five, his presence gives the coaching staff a high degree of flexibility. His absence, therefore, complicates things significantly.
What the Lakers Lose Without Kleber
Kleber’s absence will be felt in a number of areas. Offensively, the Lakers lose one of their more consistent three-point shooters among big men. With LeBron and Davis often drawing double-teams, Kleber has been a reliable outlet when opponents collapse the paint. Without him, the Lakers risk becoming easier to guard, especially if their remaining bigs struggle to hit open shots from the perimeter.
Defensively, the Lakers lose one of their better help-side defenders. While Davis remains the anchor of their defense, Kleber’s instincts and timing as a shot blocker and lane clogger have allowed Davis to roam more freely. This has made the Lakers more disruptive and switchable on the defensive end. With Kleber out, that luxury is temporarily gone, and the team may have to revert to more conservative, matchup-based defensive schemes.
Kleber is also a smart positional defender, rarely out of place and quick to rotate. He communicates well, which helps organize the defense. His absence could lead to more breakdowns in defensive coverages, particularly against a Minnesota team that features multiple offensive threats in Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards.
Adjustments to the Frontcourt Rotation
With Kleber sidelined, the Lakers will be forced to adjust their rotation—and the frontcourt depth will be tested. Anthony Davis will likely play extended minutes at the five, something the team typically tries to avoid in order to preserve his health and effectiveness over the course of a game.
Veteran center Jaxson Hayes is expected to see an uptick in playing time. Hayes brings athleticism and energy off the bench, but he lacks the shooting touch and positional IQ that Kleber provides. While Hayes can run the floor and block shots, his offensive limitations can cramp the Lakers’ spacing.
Another candidate for increased minutes is Rui Hachimura, who has been productive in spurts this season. Though more of a forward than a traditional big, Hachimura’s size and scoring touch could give the Lakers an offensive spark, especially in small-ball lineups. However, Hachimura lacks Kleber’s defensive versatility and outside shooting consistency, which could become problematic against the Timberwolves’ size and length.
Darvin Ham could also turn to Jarred Vanderbilt if he is available, though Vanderbilt has been dealing with his own injury issues. Vanderbilt is one of the team’s best perimeter defenders and brings toughness to the court, but like Hayes, he isn’t known for his shooting, making him a less-than-ideal replacement for Kleber in terms of floor spacing.
The Matchup with Minnesota
The timing of Kleber’s absence is especially unfortunate given the opponent. The Timberwolves boast one of the league’s most physically imposing frontcourts with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. Towns, a stretch big who can score from anywhere on the floor, presents a nightmare matchup even under the best circumstances. Gobert, meanwhile, dominates the paint with his rebounding and rim protection.
Without Kleber to help space the floor and defend on the perimeter, the Lakers may be forced to double-team Towns more frequently, which could open up kick-outs to shooters like Mike Conley or open driving lanes for Anthony Edwards.
Additionally, the Lakers must now be even more cautious about foul trouble. Davis is indispensable, and if he picks up early fouls, it could expose the team’s lack of depth up front. The Lakers will need to execute a disciplined defensive strategy, protect the paint, and try to contain Minnesota’s perimeter threats without overcommitting.
LeBron’s Role and Leadership
In times of adversity, LeBron James often becomes the emotional and tactical leader for the Lakers. With Kleber out, LeBron’s responsibilities may increase, particularly on the defensive end. While he’s not expected to defend post players full-time, his ability to rotate, communicate, and direct traffic will be crucial in maintaining cohesion.
Offensively, LeBron may need to shoulder more of the scoring load, especially if the Lakers struggle to get easy buckets from their bigs. His chemistry with Davis remains the team’s offensive engine, but they’ll need contributions from role players like Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Hachimura to keep up with Minnesota’s offensive firepower.
Looking Ahead
While Kleber’s foot injury is a short-term setback, it also raises questions about how the Lakers will manage their frontcourt depth as the postseason approaches. Kleber has been a valuable insurance policy behind Davis, providing size, spacing, and defensive versatility. The Lakers will want him back as soon as he’s healthy—but not at the risk of a lingering issue that could compromise his playoff availability.
In the meantime, this stretch provides an opportunity for the coaching staff to explore alternative lineups, experiment with rotations, and give fringe players a chance to contribute. It’s also a time for role players to step up and prove they can handle elevated responsibilities under playoff-like conditions.
If the Lakers can weather this stretch without Kleber and maintain their playoff positioning, they will come out of it more battle-tested and deeper than before. But doing so will require tight execution, sound strategy, and a next-man-up mentality from a team that still believes it has championship potential.
Final Thoughts
Maxi Kleber’s absence may not grab headlines like a LeBron James or Anthony Davis injury, but it carries major implications for the Los Angeles Lakers. His combination of floor spacing, defensive versatility, and basketball IQ has quietly made him a valuable contributor to the team’s success.
As the Lakers prepare to face a formidable Timberwolves squad, the coaching staff must adapt quickly. Whether through increased minutes for backups or strategic adjustments to their game plan, the Lakers must find a way to compensate for Kleber’s absence.
The hope is that Kleber’s injury is a minor setback and not something that lingers into the postseason. For now, the Lakers will need to rely on depth, discipline, and the leadership of their stars to navigate a challenging matchup without one of their most reliable role players.
