Lakers injury report vs Pistons, Maxi Kleber injury update, Lakers winning streak
Getty
JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Over their latest 12-1 stretch, the Los Angeles Lakers have remained very healthy, barring one player: Maxi Kleber, who has been on the team’s injury report for over two weeks with a back injury.
While head coach JJ Redick previously said they expected Kleber to miss some time, the latest injury update on the big man who was involved in the Luka Doncic trade signals good news for the team.
According to the Lakers, Kleber has been taken off the injury report ahead of their key matchup on Monday against the Detroit Pistons.
Maxi Kleber Injury Update
Maxi Kleber injury update, Lakers injury report vs Pistons
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 01: Maxi Kleber #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a slam dunk against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Kleber has sat for the Lakers since March 8, as he was dealing with a lumbar injury that Redick originally said would cause him to ‘miss some time.’
Dave McMenamin
JJ Redick says the team hopes to have Marcus Smart (hip) available against Denver on Saturday. He added that Jaxson Hayes received imaging on his back, and the team is awaiting results. And that Maxi Kleber will miss some more time as he deals with his recurring lumbar issue
Kleber hasn’t been a major rotational or impact player for Los Angeles, averaging just 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds on 10.9 minutes in 35 games.
However, with the inconsistent efforts to other centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, having a healthy Kleber is a good sign for a team that has struggled protecting the rim all season.
But while they were without their third center, the Lakers have announced that Kleber is off the injury report and healthy, ready to be slotted back into the lineup. He was originally listed as questionable for the game against the Pistons, but has since been upgraded in the leadup to the marquee Monday night matchup.
Lakers Injury Report Vs Pistons
Previously, Kleber, Marcus Smart, and Rui Hachimura were all listed as questionable for the game against Detroit.
While Kleber was upgraded to available, both Smart and Hachimura have since been ruled out with ankle and calf injuries, respectively.
Dave McMenamin
Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) and Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) are out tonight against Detroit, per the Lakers. Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is available.
As for the Pistons, the East’s top team has a brutal injury report, highlighted by Cade Cunningham (lung), Isaiah Stewart (calf), and Marcus Sasser (hip) all listed as out for the game.
Lakers Winning Streak
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
While there were major questions about this Lakers team both heading into the season and through the first five months of the 2025-26 campaign, the team, and specifically, Doncic, have responded well to the criticism.
Los Angeles has won nine games in a row as well as 12 of their last 13. They have a solid grip on the third seed in the West, while LeBron James has bought into his role as their third option on offense.
In that span, the Lakers have beaten New York, Minnesota, Denver, Houston (twice), Miami, and Orlando, all while now looking like a true threat to challenge the other top teams in the conference.
There were serious concerns about whether head coach JJ Redick could bring this roster together and get the most out of the individual talent between the star trio, and right now, he’s doing a solid job at helping Los Angeles reach their regular-season peak, at least over the past month.
At the same time, Doncic is making a strong case for the MVP award. He is averaging 36.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists on 49.2% shooting in the month of March, still leading the league in scoring and with an advantage of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in many statistical categories, despite the OKC Thunder star still holding the best odds to win the MVP award.
But for now, despite the few injuries they are facing, the Lakers look as strong as ever at a crucial point in the regular season.