Luka Doncic Applauds Maxi Kleber’s Impact in Narrow Lakers Win Over Jazz
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Salt Lake City, Utah — Luka Doncic credited Maxi Kleber for critical late-game plays that helped the Los Angeles Lakers edge the Utah Jazz, 110-107, on Nov. 23 at Delta Center.
Doncic logged heavy minutes in the road victory, but head coach JJ Redick relied on several reserves after center Deandre Ayton was ruled out for the second half with an undisclosed issue. Jaxson Hayes started after intermission, while Kleber, still working back from the foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season, saw extended action.
“His minutes were great for us,” Doncic told Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell. “He does the little things that don’t show up in the statistics. That was a 10-out-of-10 game from him. We needed that.”
Kleber played 14 minutes off the bench, finishing with two points, three rebounds and one block. Despite the modest box score, the forward’s defensive rotations limited Utah’s perimeter spacing, and he challenged multiple attempts at the rim. Offensively, he converted a late dunk that preserved a slim Los Angeles lead.
The pivotal sequence came on the Jazz’s final possession when Kleber closed out on Keyonte George’s potential game-winning three-pointer, forcing the rookie guard into a miss as time expired.
Redick’s frontcourt rotation remains fluid while Ayton’s status is evaluated. Kleber is expected to absorb backup center minutes if Ayton misses additional time, though Jarred Vanderbilt could also see an expanded role should the Lakers opt for smaller lineups.
The Lakers returned the bulk of last season’s roster, and Doncic emphasized the importance of continuing to develop chemistry one game at a time.
Source: Lakers Nation
