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The Lakers' margin of victory has shrunk to about as slim as it can be, and though their backs will be against the wall after a difficult Game 4 loss in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon, at least they figure to be healthy.
The team released its official injury update ahead of Game 5, which will be played back at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, and despite the usual run of bumps and bruises teams accumulate here in the postseason, the Lakers continue to just have one name in question on the list: big man Maxi Kleber.
But there is a difference -- Kleber is not listed as out for this game. He's questionable, which means there is a 50-50 chance he could play. Rui Hachimura is on the injury list but he is "available."
The league puts out its official injury report each afternoon, and for the Lakers, it's only Kleber, who has yet to make an appearance with L.A. since he was traded alongside Luka Doncic in February. Kleber is recovering from foot surgery, and could be available in the playoffs--if the Lakers survive long enough. It's doubtful he'd make his return in a series in which the Lakers can't afford a bad stretch.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick lobbies for possession due to a Minnesota Timberwolves player kicking the ball in the third quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
That's the focus at this point. The No. 3-seeded Lakers are down, 3-1, in their series against the Timberwolves.
If they're to extend this series, no doubt, the Lakers will need a much better fourth-quarter showing. The team was outscored by the Wolves, 32-13, in Game 4. According to NBA stats, the Lakers have an offensive rating of 82.1 in the playoffs in the fourth quarter, 15th out of 16 teams still playing. They have a defensive rating of 125.0, which is 13th.
The combined net rating for the Lakers in the fourth quarter is minus-42.9, which is dead last among all playoff teams (even Miami).
"Looking back now, what did we score, 19, 20, 13 in the fourth quarter?" coach JJ Redick said. "It's a trend. Our two best players missed layups at the rim."
Game 5 tips off Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Continue reading...
The team released its official injury update ahead of Game 5, which will be played back at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, and despite the usual run of bumps and bruises teams accumulate here in the postseason, the Lakers continue to just have one name in question on the list: big man Maxi Kleber.
But there is a difference -- Kleber is not listed as out for this game. He's questionable, which means there is a 50-50 chance he could play. Rui Hachimura is on the injury list but he is "available."
The league puts out its official injury report each afternoon, and for the Lakers, it's only Kleber, who has yet to make an appearance with L.A. since he was traded alongside Luka Doncic in February. Kleber is recovering from foot surgery, and could be available in the playoffs--if the Lakers survive long enough. It's doubtful he'd make his return in a series in which the Lakers can't afford a bad stretch.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick lobbies for possession due to a Minnesota Timberwolves player kicking the ball in the third quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
That's the focus at this point. The No. 3-seeded Lakers are down, 3-1, in their series against the Timberwolves.
If they're to extend this series, no doubt, the Lakers will need a much better fourth-quarter showing. The team was outscored by the Wolves, 32-13, in Game 4. According to NBA stats, the Lakers have an offensive rating of 82.1 in the playoffs in the fourth quarter, 15th out of 16 teams still playing. They have a defensive rating of 125.0, which is 13th.
The combined net rating for the Lakers in the fourth quarter is minus-42.9, which is dead last among all playoff teams (even Miami).
"Looking back now, what did we score, 19, 20, 13 in the fourth quarter?" coach JJ Redick said. "It's a trend. Our two best players missed layups at the rim."
Game 5 tips off Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Continue reading...
