Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Gets 14 minutes in team debut
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Kleber (oblique) totaled one point (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 14 minutes in Saturday's 122-102 loss to the Hawks.
Though Kleber was acquired last February as a throw-in piece in the deal that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, he didn't make his Lakers debut until Saturday. Following his acquisition from Dallas, Kleber didn't play during the remainder of the 2024-25 season while recovering from Jan. 30 right foot surgery, and he then missed the first nine games of 2025-26 while working his way back from a left oblique strain suffered during the preseason. Now that he's healthy again, Kleber may be able to hold down a spot in the Los Angeles rotation in the short term, but he'll likely be at risk of losing out on playing time as soon as the Lakers get either or both of LeBron James (sciatica) and Austin Reaves (groin) back from injury.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Upgraded to available
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Kleber (oblique) has been upgraded to available for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Kleber will be available to make his regular-season debut in this matchup. He'll add depth to the frontcourt, but he shouldn't carry significant fantasy upside in most formats.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Questionable for Saturday
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Kleber (oblique) is questionable for Saturday's game in Atlanta, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Kleber has yet to make his regular-season debut, but he'll have a chance to do so Saturday night. However, he's not expected to be a significant part of the rotation.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Remains out for Wednesday
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Kleber (oblique) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, NBA reporter Jovan Buha reports.
Kleber has yet to play a game this season as he continues to deal with an oblique injury. The next opportunity for him to make his season debut will be Saturday against the Hawks.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Unavailable Monday
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Kleber (oblique) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
It was thought that Kleber had a shot to make his season debut Monday after missing time with an oblique strain, but he'll need to wait at least a few more days after being downgraded to out. His next opportunity to run the floor will arrive Wednesday against the Spurs.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Gets questionable tag
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Kleber (abdomen) is questionable for Monday's game against Portland, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
The door is open for Kleber to make his season debut. Given that he's been out for multiple weeks, the veteran big man would likely be eased back into action if he's healthy enough to play. Kleber is set to battle for the backup center role with Jaxson Hayes this season.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Out at least two weeks
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The Lakers announced Tuesday that Kleber will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to a left oblique strain, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
Kleber had been expected to be a fringe rotation player heading into the season, but the injury will delay his 2025-26 debut and could make it difficult for him to capture a meaningful role once he's healthy. With LeBron James (sciatica) also sidelined to begin the season, the Lakers will likely rely on Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia as their primary options in the frontcourt.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Iffy for Opening Night
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Kleber (abdomen) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Kleber is dealing with an abdominal muscle strain and is in jeopardy of missing the Lakers' regular-season opener. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Jaxson Hayes will likely see a slight bump in playing time.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Green light to return
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Kleber (quadriceps) has been cleared for action and hopes to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Kings, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
A quadriceps injury has bothered Kleber throughout training camp, but he has the green light to return to the floor. The veteran big man should be available off the bench if the Lakers want him to get some final exhibition reps.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Does individual work Tuesday
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Kleber (quadriceps) did some individual work Tuesday, Mark Medina of TheSportingTribune.com reports.
Kleber is continuing his recovery from a quadriceps injury that he suffered in practice last Tuesday. The veteran big man can be labeled questionable for Sunday's preseason game against the Warriors. Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt will remain candidates for an increased role until Kleber is cleared for action.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Will miss preseason opener
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Kleber (quad) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Suns, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Timesreports.
Kleber suffered a quad injury during Tuesday's practice, which is a concerning sign for the team after he played only one playoff game with the Lakers last year following his trade from Dallas to Los Angeles. However, it doesn't appear to be a severe injury that will keep him sidelined for long, as he received promising MRI results.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Tweaks quadriceps in practice
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Kleber tweaked a quadriceps muscle during Tuesday's practice, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
Kleber played in only one game for the Lakers after being traded by the Mavericks in the Luka Doncic deal. That debut was Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against the Timberwolves, which turned out to be the last game of the 2024-25 campaign for Los Angeles. Suffering a quadriceps injury this early isn't a great sign for Kleber, who maintained he was fully healthy during the team's Media Day earlier this week. It remains to be seen how severe this injury is and whether it'll impact his status for the preseason.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Cleared to play in Game 5
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Kleber (foot) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Kleber will make his debut for the Lakers on Wednesday after missing the last 43 games while recovering from surgery on his right foot. It remains to be seen whether Kleber will play a significant role in this pivotal Game 5, as it could potentially be the last game of the season for Los Angeles, with JJ Redick's squad facing elimination down 3-1. Before being moved ahead of the NBA trade deadline in the Luka Doncic trade, Kleber played in 34 games for the Mavericks, averaging 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 38.5 percent from the floor and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Questionable for Game 5
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Kleber (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Timberwolves, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Kleber has yet to suit up for the Lakers after undergoing surgery on his right foot Jan. 30, though he could make his debut in Wednesday's win-or-go-home matchup. Jaxson Hayes has started all four outings during the first round but is averaging only 7.5 minutes per game, meaning Kleber could take on some responsibility at center if he's cleared to play,
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Out for Game 4
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Kleber (foot) is out for Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Sunday.
The big man has yet to feature in the playoffs, and it's uncertain if he'll be able to suit up at any point during the postseason. Even if he ends up being available, he should operate as a backup in the frontcourt behind Jaxson Hayes. His next chance to play will come in Game 5 on Wednesday.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Remains out for Game 3
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Kleber (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.
Kleber continues to work his way back from surgery on his right foot, which means he'll be sidelined once again Friday. There remains no timeline for his return to the floor to make his debut with the Lakers, as he could very well not play another game until the start of next season.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Won't play in series opener
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Kleber (foot) is out for Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Saturday.
Kleber hasn't played since Jan. 25 while recovering from surgery on his right foot, which he underwent Jan. 30. While he has been taking part in practices recently, he doesn't have a timetable to return to action. His next chance to suit up will come in Game 2 of the series on Tuesday.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Active during Tuesday's practice
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Kleber (foot) participated in Tuesday's practice, though there's still no clear timetable for his return to game action, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Kleber hasn't played since Jan. 25 while recovering from surgery on his right foot, which he underwent on Jan. 30. The big man has been doing more on-court work recently, but there's still no official timetable for his return ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Timberwolves. It's unclear whether Kleber will play a role in the Lakers' rotation whenever he returns, as he has yet to suit up for Los Angeles since the club acquired him in a trade with the Mavericks.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Ruled out for Friday
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Kleber (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Kleber has yet to suit up for the Lakers while recovering from surgery on his right foot that he underwent on Jan. 30. However, the Lakers announced Thursday that the big man has returned to on-court activities, per Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com, which is a positive sign ahead of the playoffs. Kleber's last chance to suit up during the regular season will come Sunday against Portland.
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Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Progresses to on-court work
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The Lakers announced Thursday that Kleber has progressed to on-court activities, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Kleber underwent right foot surgery on Jan. 30, and he was given an uncertain timetable for his return to the floor. The Lakers newcomer appears to be getting closer to being cleared to play, but it remains unclear if he'll make his debut with Los Angeles this season.
