Maxi Kleber Upgraded To Questionable For Game 5 Vs. Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers have launched their damage report and upgraded Maxi Kleber (proper foot surgical procedure restoration) to questionable for Recreation 5 towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This marks the primary time Kleber hasn’t been dominated out since being traded to the Lakers together with Luka Doncic within the blockbuster deal from the Dallas Mavericks in February. He has earlier suffered a damaged foot that required surgical procedure and an in depth restoration.

Kleber started working towards with the Lakers on the finish of the common season although and now seems to have made sufficient progress to be upgraded to questionable for Recreation 5.

It stays to be seen if he’ll be capable to swimsuit up on not on Wednesday evening, however even when Kleber is on the market, it’s laborious to think about JJ Redick throwing him into the combo in a do-or-die recreation. The 33-year-old has playoff expertise however hasn’t performed in any recreation in over three months, not to mention a must-win recreation with playoff depth.

The excellent news right here although is that Kleber is making progress and may very well be an choice for Redick down the street in the event that they win Recreation 5. The Lakers clearly lack measurement and rotation caliber gamers, so having Kleber as an choice that may defend and house the ground will surely be good.

Kleber is beneath contract with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season at $11 million so even when they fail to make it out of the primary spherical, at present going through a 3-1 deficit to the Timberwolves, it might seem he’ll go into the offseason shut to totally wholesome and will on the very least be prepared for coaching camp subsequent fall.

If Kleber is upgraded to out there earlier than Recreation 5 although, it might be attention-grabbing is Redick gave him a shot to throw a unique have a look at the Timberwolves. If that have been to occur, that will mark the Lakers debut for Kleber.

JJ Redick on Lakers’ temper heading into Recreation 5

The Lakers have to win three straight video games to maintain their season alive, and JJ Redick mentioned the temper within the locker room heading right into a do-or-die Recreation 5 towards the Timberwolves.

“You have to play with a sense of desperation,” he mentioned after follow on Tuesday. “You can’t change what’s already happened and you can’t feel sorry for yourself… Our focus is on Game 5. We have to win Game 5. And that’s been conveyed by the coaches, players. Tomorrow is a Game 7 for us,” Redick added.

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