Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxi Kleber will be sidelined for at least two weeks due to an oblique strain, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto. The update came Tuesday, just before the Lakers’ 2025–26 regular-season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Scotto reported that Kleber “will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks,” ruling him out for the early portion of the schedule as the Lakers begin their campaign under head coach JJ Redick.
Kleber appeared in just one preseason game, logging 10 minutes against the Sacramento Kings on October 18. He went scoreless from the field but made three of four free throws and grabbed two rebounds in a 117–116 loss.
The German forward joined Los Angeles in a major February trade that also brought Luka Doncic and Markieff Morris from Dallas in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and draft assets.
He made his Lakers debut in the playoffs last April, scoring two points in a Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that ended the team’s season.
Injuries have limited Kleber’s availability over the past two years. The 33-year-old played 34 games last season, averaging 3.0 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 38.5% from the field.
Known for his defense and spacing ability, Kleber has averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds across 440 career regular-season games since entering the league in 2017.
The Lakers’ schedule features three games in the first week — against Golden State, Minnesota, and Sacramento — followed by a home matchup with Portland on October 27. Kleber’s earliest possible return would come in early November, depending on how his recovery progresses.
