Lakers’ Maxi Kleber Makes Season Debut Against Hawks
The Lakers' reserve big man, Maxi Kleber, returned to action Saturday in a 122-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Kleber missed the first nine games of the season due to an abdominal muscle strain.
The team updated Kleber’s status from questionable to available just two and a half hours before tipoff.
“I’m gonna be ready,” Kleber told reporters after Saturday morning’s shootaround. “Just be prepared and be back out with the guys, get back in rhythm and routine.”
Kleber revealed that he injured his abdominal muscle during a preseason drive to the basket in practice, calling it “very unfortunate, unlucky.”
“But we try the best to maintain conditioning and everything else. Try to come back as fast as possible.”
He entered the game in the third quarter at the 5:59 mark after Coach JJ Redick rested main rotation players with the Lakers trailing 90-65. Kleber played 14 minutes, scoring one point from two free throws, blocking two shots, grabbing two rebounds, and recording one assist.
At 33 years old, Kleber was also sidelined for most of the preseason due to a minor quadriceps injury sustained during the Lakers’ first training camp practice.
Author’s summary: Maxi Kleber returned from injury to make his 2025-26 season debut, contributing defensively and maintaining readiness despite setbacks.