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JJ Redick is in his second season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are close to having a completely healthy lineup for the first time this season. The Lakers could be without backup big man Maxi Kleber for their 2025 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.
According to the Lakers’ official injury report, Kleber has been listed as questionable due to a back injury. It’s a new issue for the German center, who missed the first nine games of the season because of a strained oblique.
Kleber has also received four healthy DNPs under coach JJ Redick, including the Lakers’ most recent game on December 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s averaging 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 10 games this season.
The good news for the Lakers is Kleber could get upgraded to available before tipoff. However, he could also be downgraded to out and miss the game against the Spurs.
Another piece of good news for Los Angeles is Marcus Smart is off the injury report. Smart will be making his return from a back injury after a six-game absence.
Lakers Get Huge Boost Following Spurs Injury Update
One of the things Los Angeles Lakers fans online lamented last week was the possibility of Victor Wembanyama returning from injury against the purple and gold franchise. It’s been a conspiracy on social media that most players suddenly become healthy against the Lakers.
However, that’s not the case this time around despite Matthew Tynan’s report that Wembanyama was on coach Mitch Johnson’s ear about returning for the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Stephon Castle also wanted to return, and he got his wish after getting cleared on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Wemby’s absence is going to be a huge boost for Los Angeles, especially with their offense being better inside the 3-point range. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James could attack the rim with ease, while Deandre Ayton won’t have a tough cover on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers did outlast the Spurs 118-116 on November 5, with Wembanyama healthy and playing. The hosts will still have a lot on their hands since San Antonio are 8-3 in their last 11 games without their superstar big man.
Ayton Says Team is Focused Ahead of NBA Cup Game
In an interview with Dan Woike of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton feels confident ahead of their NBA Cup game. Ayton is motivated to play well and match the energy that Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James put on the court.
“Yeah, I think we have a shot. We have some Hall of Famers on the team that really want to win, and they make that very vocal that they want to win. So you’re gonna have to hold your end to be a part of the puzzle so you can fit,” Ayton said.
The franchise was the first-ever NBA Cup winners back in 2023 under Darvin Ham. The defending 2024 NBA Cup winners, the Milwaukee Bucks, failed to make it out of this year’s group stages.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He’s currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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