The Los Angeles Lakers narrowly averted an embarrassing collapse Sunday towards the Utah Jazz.
The Lakers had been up by 11 factors with three minutes left, and the sport ought to have been straightforward.
As an alternative, the Jazz fought again within the last minutes, even going for a 3-pointer on the successful buzzer.
There aren’t many positives to take from the Lakers’ two-point win over a five-win group, however Austin Reeves made one clear after the sport.
He praised the efficiency of Maxi Kleber, who got here off the bench after Deandre Ayton suffered a knee harm.
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Maxi Kleber joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks together with Luka Doncic on the February commerce deadline.
Kleber appeared in a single sport for the Lakers final season, shedding to the Minnesota Timberwolves within the first spherical of the Western Convention.
Because the Lakers’ No. 3 heart behind Deandre Ayton and Jackson Hayes, German has barely performed within the 2025-26 season.
However after Ayton was ejected towards the Jazz, J.J. Redick referred to as on Kleber for 14 minutes.
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Though he solely recorded two factors and three rebounds, Austin Reeves was nonetheless impressed along with his contributions.
“I instructed him at the moment, and I used to be like, ‘I do know you suppose I am making enjoyable of you each time I discuss to you,’ however he was probably the greatest gamers on the ground for us tonight,” Reeves stated.
“Simply the power, the trouble, the best way he performed, the best way he performed. It wasn’t straightforward to take a seat the entire first half after which come out and do what he did. So, hats off to these guys. You wish to see them succeed.”
Maxi Kleber proved within the Lakers-Jazz win that he generally is a sturdy backup heart at any time when Ayton or Hayes are out.
However Kleber should do extra to persuade the Lakers to not commerce him on the deadline.
The 33-year-old does not have a whole lot of commerce worth, however his $11 million-a-year contract may match his wage.
The Lakers will not be including one other celebrity like Doncic this season, however the mixture of Kleber and the decide may convey again a top quality function participant.
