Lakers’ Kleber Sidelined for Minimum Two Weeks Due to Oblique Strain
Maxi Kleber, a veteran player for the Los Angeles Lakers, will miss at least two weeks due to an oblique strain. The team made this announcement, indicating that Kleber will be reevaluated in about two weeks. His absence comes as the regular season approaches, significantly impacting the Lakers’ frontcourt.
Kleber’s Injury History
Kleber joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks in February as part of the Luka Doncic trade. Before this season, he faced multiple injuries, including a broken foot last January that delayed his debut with the Lakers until Game 5 of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Recent Setbacks
- Kleber had a minor quad injury early in training camp.
- He participated in only one preseason game.
- He is expected to miss the first eight games of the season due to his current injury.
Despite his injuries, Kleber has shown he can be an efficient rotation player. Between 2018 and 2022, he averaged 21 to 27 minutes per game over various seasons with the Mavericks. However, he has struggled to stay healthy, missing 132 regular-season games since the start of the 2022-23 season while only playing in 114.
Lakers’ Lineup Challenges
With Kleber sidelined along with stars LeBron James and Adou Thiero, the Lakers will be relying more on their remaining frontcourt players. Key players stepping up include:
- Deandre Ayton
- Jaxson Hayes
- Rui Hachimura
- Jarred Vanderbilt
Additionally, Christian Koloko, a two-way center, may play a significant role early in the season. The Lakers will need to adapt quickly to these injuries as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
