The Los Angeles Lakers head into Monday night’s road clash against the Orlando Magic with a mixed injury report and a strong sense of urgency as the regular season winds down. With just 12 games left, the Lakers are in a fiercely competitive Western Conference playoff race, and each player’s availability could impact their postseason seeding.
According to the team’s latest injury update, LeBron James (left groin strain) is listed as probable, while Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) remains questionable. Maxi Kleber (foot surgery recovery) is out, and rookie guard Bronny James Jr. continues to play with the South Bay Lakers in the G League.
LeBron is expected to feature in Monday’s matchup, barring any late setbacks. The 40-year-old made his return on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls after a two-week absence.
Though clearly not at full speed, he finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes. Afterward, he acknowledged he felt “a little rusty,” but emphasized that getting back on the court was a positive step as the Lakers try to solidify their playoff standing.
Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura is likely to miss out. He made his return from injury against the Bulls as well, but in just 18 minutes, it was clear he was limited.
Hachimura admitted postgame that his knee is still only about 70-80% healthy and won’t fully recover without a significant period of rest—something both he and the Lakers know isn’t an option right now.
His movement and explosiveness remain compromised, and given the short turnaround and his lingering discomfort, it’s unlikely he will be risked on Monday.
Maxi Kleber remains out indefinitely, continuing his rehab from right foot surgery. The Lakers have yet to debut their midseason acquisition, and his absence has left the frontcourt thin—especially when players like Hachimura are still recovering.
Kleber’s shooting, defense, and positional versatility would be a valuable asset, particularly against a team like the Magic with size and skill in the frontcourt.
The Lakers enter the game with a 43-27 record, good for 4th place in the West. They are just one game behind the 3rd-seeded Nuggets and two behind the 2nd-seeded Rockets, but they’re also just half a game ahead of the Grizzlies in 5th and four games above the Timberwolves in 7th. The margin for error is razor-thin.
With the fifth-toughest remaining schedule in the NBA—including two matchups each against the top-seeded Thunder and Rockets—every game carries major implications. Monday’s contest against Orlando, a playoff-bound Eastern Conference team, won’t be easy.
LeBron is likely to suit up and continue shaking off the rust, but if Hachimura can’t go, the Lakers will need others to step up as they try to avoid sliding into the dreaded play-in territory.
