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By Jeremy Hanna
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to come back after a devastating 117-95 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
In order to do so, they will need every member of their roster operating at the top of their abilities.
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Unfortunately, it appears they will be down one person.
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According to the official NBA injury report, the Lakers will be missing power forward Maxi Kleber for Game 2 against the Timberwolves.
Kleber is still recovering from right foot surgery after sustaining a fracture against the Boston Celtics on Jan. 25, 2025. There has been no update regarding when he will be returning.
Kleber joined Los Angeles alongside power forward Markieff Morris and point guard Luka Doncic in the blockbuster trade that sent power forward Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
Kleber has yet to lace up for the Lakers.
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Kleber had a long career in Europe, playing for the Würzburg Baskets in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga league (2011-2014), Obradoiro CAB in Spain (2014-2015), and Bayern Munich (2015-2017).
In 2017, Kleber was named to the All-EuroCup Second Team. He is also a two-time German League All-Star (2015, 2017), and was named All-German League Second Team and German League Most Effective Player in 2017.
After going unselected in the 2014 NBA Draft, Kleber signed with the Mavericks on July 13, 2017. He made his NBA debut on Oct. 21, 2017, against the Houston Rockets.
For nearly eight years, Kleber operated as a key rotation piece for Dallas off the bench, averaging 22.3 minutes played, 6.4 points, 4.4 total rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.4 steals per game across 440 games, 151 of which he started.
Kleber was a candidate for NBA Sixth Man of the Year for the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season.
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The Timberwolves will also be down a player for Game 2. Guard Rob Dillingham will be missing due to a right ankle sprain.
In his rookie season with Minnesota, Dillingham has averaged 10.5 minutes played, 4.5 points, two assists, one total rebound, and 0.4 steals per game across 49 games.
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