Lakers’ Maxi Kleber Out Two Weeks with Oblique Strain

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers will start the NBA season without backup big man Maxi Kleber, who has been diagnosed with a left oblique strain. The team announced on Tuesday that he will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks.

Kleber, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in February, has struggled with injuries since joining the Lakers. He had surgery on his right foot last season and only played five minutes during the team’s postseason exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In training camp, Kleber suffered a minor quadriceps injury that limited him to just one preseason game. In that appearance against the Sacramento Kings, he scored three points and grabbed two rebounds before fouling four times.

“I was very frustrated,” Kleber said regarding his latest injury. “I put in a lot of work to have something happen like that. But you can’t control everything. All I can do is work hard and try to get back into game shape.”

Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed sympathy for Kleber’s situation, noting the veteran’s dedication to maintaining his health. “He does everything right. I feel bad for him,” Redick said. “In the last two seasons, he’s dealt with the injury bug, but I know he’ll be ready to help the team soon.”

The 33-year-old Kleber averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in his career and has shown potential when healthy. However, he has missed 132 regular-season games compared to only 114 played since the start of the 2022-23 season.

With Kleber sidelined, the Lakers are expected to rely on Deandre Ayton as the starting center, along with Jaxson Hayes and two-way player Christian Koloko as backups. Both forwards Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt are also out for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors.

This marks the first time in his 23-year career that LeBron James will miss opening night, as he is also sidelined with sciatica.