Following the team’s ninth straight win, the Los Angeles Lakers are sitting comfortably in third place in the Western Conference with 11 games left on the regular-season schedule.
Even though the Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, the storied franchise could be without some key role players heading into Monday’s game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura & Maxi Kleber Listed as Questionable vs. Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart
Mar 16, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) celebrates after scoring a three-point basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Lakers might have to get by without Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura, who popped on the team’s injury report on Sunday. Maxi Kleber, however, is trending in the right direction, as he’s been upgraded to questionable after missing the last seven games due to a lumbar strain.
Obviously, the biggest concern is Smart and Hachimura, who have been pivotal to the team’s success this season. Smart has been the backbone of an improving defense, while Hachimura has been one of the most consistent players on the squad coming off the bench after adjusting to a new role as the team’s sixth man.
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