Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) is expected to remain sidelined as he continues recovering from a lumbar issue, extending a recent stretch of missed games. Kleber has logged limited minutes when available this season, leaving little direct fantasy fallout from his absence. Jarred Vanderbilt should continue handling the backup frontcourt role, while Drew Timme could mix in for spot minutes when the Lakers go deeper into the rotation. Deandre Ayton's role remains unchanged as the starting center. Given Kleber's minimal workload, he can remain on waiver wires in most formats, with Vanderbilt only holding deep-league streaming appeal for rebounds and defensive stats.

Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports that Los Angeles Lakers centers Jaxson Hayes (back) and Maxi Kleber (back) are unavailable for Thursday night's matchup with the Chicago Bulls. Both Hayes and Kleber are dealing with back issues that also kept them sidelined during Tuesday's win against Minnesota. While the two big men are out of action, Jarred Vaderbilt, who is averaging 17.9 minutes per contest, will likely see extended minutes during this evening's clash.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) will not play Tuesday against the Timberwolves after being listed late on the injury report with a lumbar strain. Kleber has held a modest reserve role this season, averaging around 11 minutes per game, so the direct fantasy fallout is limited. Jarred Vanderbilt is the most likely beneficiary and could see a small uptick in minutes in the Lakers' frontcourt rotation. Vanderbilt logged 11 minutes in the previous game, finishing with three points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block. Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura should continue handling most of the frontcourt workload.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) will miss the first game of a back-to-back on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets. He was listed as questionable on the initial injury report due to back soreness. Kleber was also considered questionable for Tuesday's meeting with New Orleans before getting the green light to play. Yet Lakers head coach JJ Redick elected not to use Kleber in that game. It wasn't surprising, as Kleber doesn't have a consistent role with the Lakers. Even if the German veteran returns to the lineup on Friday against the Indiana Pacers, he might receive another DNP-CD.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers forward/centerMaxi Kleber(back) is out for Wednesday's NBA Cup tilt against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran big man will be out of action due to a lumbar muscle strain. His absence won't cause too much distress to the Lakers or fantasy managers, as the 33-year-old hasn't seen many minutes on the floor during this campaign. He's averaging 12.1 minutes per contest while posting 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds across 10 outings.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup contest against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran is battling a back problem. His absence would not be a big blow for the Lakers, as Kleber has seen minimal action this season. He has averaged 12.1 minutes across 10 appearances, posting 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. These are career-low marks for the 33-year-old German.

Los Angeles Lakers center Maxi Kleber (oblique) has been upgraded to available for Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Kleber will be making his season debut for LA after being out since January dealing with multiple injuries. The 33-year-old had generally been a low volume option for the Mavericks with his PPG dwindling down to 3.0 last season. Fantasy managers looking for help at center may want to wait and see how the Lakers intend to use Kleber before putting him into action. It's likely his on court impact may be more valuable than his fantasy impact going forward.

According to Michael Scotto of USA Today, Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (oblique) will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a left oblique strain. The veteran big man joins LeBron James (back) on the sidelines to open the 2025-26 campaign. Kleber was expected to provide veteran leadership coming off the bench, but his latest setback could limit his early-season minutes. Once healthy, the 33-year-old will likely struggle to earn consistent minutes and is expected to make only a minimal fantasy impact this season.

According to Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sports, Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (quadriceps) tweaked a quadriceps muscle during the team's second day of training camp on Wednesday. Kleber became a Laker in the blockbuster deal that shipped Luka Doncic from Dallas to L.A. However, the 33-year-old played in just one game for the Lakers, which was Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against the Timberwolves. It's unclear if Kleber will miss a significant amount of time due to the injury. Regardless, he will not make much of an impact in fantasy once he is ready to return.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (foot) will be available to make his team debut on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kleber underwent right foot surgery before his move to L.A. and has been sidelined for 43 games. The Lakers will have an additional frontcourt option with Kleber. Given that starting center Jaxson Hayes has averaged just 7.8 minutes per game in the series, Lakers head coach JJ Redick may consider trying something different against Minnesota. However, it's unlikely that Kleber will become a significant part of the rotation.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (foot) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Wednesday's Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The German veteran seems to be finally close to making a comeback from foot surgery. He would be a new addition to the Lakers rotation, as Kleber last played in late January when he was still with the Dallas Mavericks. Lakers head coach JJ Redick may be in need of some additional options after playing the second half of Game 4 with the same five players. However, Kleber has never been a highly productive player, and it's unlikely that he will have a significant impact.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (foot) will not be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The German veteran continues to recover from foot surgery. Kleber has not seen any action since Jan. 25, but his return appears to be approaching, as he has been practicing. However, it remains unclear whether Kleber will have a significant role with the Lakers since he has yet to play for his new team. When he was still in Dallas, Kleber averaged 3.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 18.7 minutes this season.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Maxi Kleber (oblique) will play against Cleveland on Friday. He has been upgraded from questionable to available. Kleber has been carrying a heavier workload lately, as the team has missed several frontcourt pieces. However, his output has been underwhelming, to say the least. Despite averaging nearly 30 minutes a night over the last four games, Kleber has scored only 5.3 points while notching 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (oblique) has been pressed into more work over the past few weeks, but now the veteran is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with the Cavs. Kleber's increase in workload lately has come as a result of Naji Marshall's suspension and P.J. Washington's suspension and knee injury. Washington left Wednesday's game with a sprained knee and is questionable for Friday's game, Kleber played 30 minutes in that game, finishing with five points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. Kleber also got a start on Monday in Washington's absence and finished with eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, but no points in 32 minutes. If Kleber and Washington are both out Friday, Dwight Powell and Olivier-Maxence Prosper would have to fill in minutes at PF.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kleber will miss his second game in a row due to an illness. He remains day-to-day, but his absence won't have a huge impact on the rotation. Kleber has only been playing 17 minutes per game, so the Mavs will likely use a committee approach to fill the void. P.J. Washington (illness), Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford should all pick up extra playing time.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (illness) will not suit up for Saturday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Kleber has been unproductive lately, failing to score in three of his past four games, so his absence shouldn't disrupt the Mavericks' rotation too much. In his stead, P.J. Washington and Quentin Grimes are expected to pick up additional minutes. Kleber's next opportunity to return comes Tuesday against the Thunder.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Maxi Kleber (hamstring) will not be available for Tuesday's matchup against Minnesota. He missed Monday's meeting with Utah due to a right hamstring strain and will not travel with the team to Minneapolis. The rest of the Mavericks' bigs should absorb Kleber's minutes, slightly boosting their fantasy value. Dereck Lively II has been the most productive of them. Despite coming off the bench, Lively II has notched 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks. Kleber gets his next chance to return on Thursday versus Houston.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (hamstring) received a questionable tag while he continues to deal with a right hamstring strain. The 32-year-old was able to play in each of the Mavericks' first two games and played 15 minutes in both of them. While he's not on the fantasy radar right now, if he has to miss this game, his minutes will likely go to some of the starters. P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II could all benefit in that scenario.

Dallas Mavericks forward/centerMaxi Kleber(shoulder) is set to return for Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein. The 32-year-old power forward has been out of the Mavs lineup since May 3rd due to an AC joint separation. Kleber could see plenty of minutes as Derek Lively II (neck) is currently listed as doubtful. Before Kleber was sidelined, he averaged 19.3 minutes, 5.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 blocks in six postseason contests.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Maxi Kleber (shoulder) will be re-evaluated in three weeks. He was initially expected to miss the rest of the postseason after Kleber suffered a separated shoulder in Friday's first-round clincher against the Clippers. It now looks like Kleber could be back for the Western Conference Finals if Dallas gets past Oklahoma City in the second round. In the meantime, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II will share the frontcourt minutes. The Thunder have struggled in the rebounding department this season, putting the three in a position to have a productive series.