Maxi Kleber is available for the Los Angeles Lakers for their Game 5 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This marks the first time the forward has been cleared for competition since being acquired by the team.
Kleber was upgraded to available from questionable ahead of the game. He had previously been listed as out for the entire time he has been with the Lakers.
The decision comes as the Lakers face a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is a win-or-go-home situation for Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena.
Kleber last played on January 25 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. He was included in a multi-player trade that sent him and Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February.
The trade involved the Lakers sending Anthony Davis and other assets to Dallas. Kleber has been recovering from foot surgery since joining Los Angeles.
He began practicing with the team towards the end of the regular season. Despite being available, it is unclear if Lakers coach JJ Redick plans to use him in the critical elimination game.
Kleber has playoff experience but has not appeared in a game in over three months. His contract includes the 2025-26 season at $11 million.
The Lakers struggled with Minnesota's size in their Game 4 loss. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 43 points in that contest.
Ahead of the game, JJ Redick discussed the mood in the locker room.
“You have to play with a sense of desperation,” Redick said. “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.”
