Lakers Start the Season with Important Absences in the Paint
The Lakers face the start of the season with some key absences in the attacking zone. Maxi Kleber, substitute power forward, will be out of action due to an oblique injury and will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, as announced by the team this Tuesday. Kleber, who arrived at the Lakers after a trade with the Mavericks in February, has had to deal with several injuries since his arrival at the team. At the time of the transfer, the 6-10, 240-pound player was out due to surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot, which prevented him from playing the rest of the regular season. He only participated for five minutes in the fifth game of the first-round series against the Timberwolves. In addition, he suffered a quadriceps injury at the beginning of training camp and missed almost all six Lakers preseason games, recording three points, two rebounds, two turnovers, and four fouls in ten minutes against the Kings last week.Lakers coach JJ Redick commented that Kleber had expressed his frustration with the bad luck he has had in Los Angeles.I was very frustrated. I put in a lot of work for something like this to happen. But you can’t always control everything. All I can do is try hard and give my best. The same goes for rehabilitation and getting ready for the games.
Maxi Kleber
Kleber, a nine-year veteran, has career averages of 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, with 35.4% effectiveness in 3-point shots. In the opening game against the Warriors, the Lakers featured Deandre Ayton as the starting center and Jaxson Hayes as the main substitute. Hayes suffered a wrist contusion in the last preseason game against the Kings, but will be available for the game against Golden State. LeBron James (sciatica) and rookie Adou Thiero (recovering from left knee surgery) are also out against the Warriors. James, who will miss the opening game for the first time in his 23-year career, will be re-evaluated in approximately 1-2 weeks.He says: “I do everything right. I take care of myself, I sleep well, I put the right things in my body. I exercise, I train.” And he’s been bitten a little bit by the injury bug here in the last couple of seasons. So, I really feel for him. I’m grateful that this is a short-term thing, but I know he’ll be in shape in a few weeks to help this basketball team.
JJ Redick
