In a thrilling Thursday night game in Los Angeles, the Lakers secured their second straight win by overcoming the Philadelphia 76ers, powered by Austin Reaves’ 33 points despite limited minutes. However, Marcus Smart emphasized that Maxi Kleber’s contributions were key to the comeback, praising him as an essential yet often overlooked member of the team.
Smart elaborated on why the Lakers place such high value on Kleber’s presence, noting the consistency and professionalism that Kleber brings to every practice and game.
Consistency and Commitment Define Kleber’s Impact
He’s the ultimate professional. There’s a reason why Maxi’s still in the league, still playing, and there’s a reason why he’s on this team with us,
Smart said.
There’s a reason why we celebrate him the way we do because he comes in every day no matter what, and he gives that, whether it’s in practice, whether it’s in a game, whether he plays two minutes, whether he plays 20.
We enjoy watching Maxi because we know how hard he works and we know what he’s going to give every night,
Smart continued.
That’s nothing of a surprise for us. We’re just excited to see him out there getting a chance to do it.
Stepping Up Amid Team Challenges
Kleber earned extended playing time after Jaxson Hayes was suspended for shoving the Washington Wizards’ mascot during a recent game. Taking on the backup center role, Kleber delivered a well-rounded performance with four points, four rebounds—all offensive—four assists, and three steals in 26 minutes, leading the Lakers with a plus-23 rating.
His offensive rebounds created valuable second-chance opportunities, while defensively, he provided a key matchup against Philadelphia’s star Joel Embiid, especially in the critical fourth quarter. Lakers head coach JJ Redick entrusted Kleber with the majority of the final period to help close out the win.
Impact Beyond the Stat Sheet
Though Kleber’s box score numbers were solid, Redick stressed that his influence extended well beyond measurable stats, particularly noting the quality of Kleber’s defense and teamwork.
Maxi made a number of plays that don’t necessarily show up on the box score. Had a Gortat [screen] on AR [Austin Reaves] in the first half, he had the Gortat to help close the game with LeBron’s dunk down the middle. He just played great defense,
Redick said.
While Maxi scored some, I thought his containment when he switched on to [Tyrese] Maxey was really good.
Kleber’s Season Performance and Leadership
Kleber’s 26 minutes marked a season high, reflecting his readiness despite fluctuating playing time and recovery from earlier injuries since joining the Lakers via the Luka Doncic trade. His leadership and positive attitude have remained steadfast, regardless of his role or minutes on the court.
Maxi, it doesn’t matter if he’s played and had a big impact, and the he’s a DNP the next game, even when he was battling through some injuries to start the season, his spirit, his approach, his being a teammate and rooting for other people, it never changes,
Redick said.
He’s just, for all our guys, he’s an easy guy to root for.
Over the course of this season, Kleber has appeared in 25 games, averaging approximately 11 minutes per contest, with statistics including 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line.
Why Kleber’s Role Matters for the Lakers Going Forward
Kleber’s dependable work ethic, versatility on both ends of the floor, and leadership qualities make him an indispensable member of the Lakers, especially during times of roster challenges. His ability to stay ready and impact games while providing guidance off the court enhances the team’s depth and cohesion as they continue their season pushes. Marcus Smart’s praise highlights the value of players like Kleber, whose contributions often go unnoticed but are critical for sustained success.
Maxi Kleber appreciation post 🫶
Was a team high +23 in 26 minutes 👀 pic.twitter.com/gLI2nHPsBO
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) February 6, 2026
