With the Los Angeles Lakers facing elimination in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach JJ Redick hinted that a lineup change could be on the cards. During his pregame availability, Redick revealed that the starting five for tomorrow’s must-win clash remains “to be determined,” signaling the possibility of adjustments following the team’s exhausting Game 4 collapse.
The Lakers have gone with a consistent starting lineup this series—Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes. But Hayes has played fewer than eight minutes per game across the series, averaging just two points and providing little impact on either end of the court.
His lack of defensive awareness and inability to space the floor have limited his effectiveness, especially against Minnesota’s physical and mobile frontcourt.
In contrast, Redick leaned heavily on a different five-man group in the second half of Game 4, riding with LeBron, Luka, Rui, Reaves, and Dorian Finney-Smith for the entire final 24 minutes.
While that lineup showed flashes, especially in the third quarter when the Lakers built a lead, the lack of depth and rest caught up with them. The Wolves outscored them 32-19 in the fourth, and Anthony Edwards admitted postgame that the Lakers looked “gassed” late in the contest.
With Game 6 set for Friday, if the Lakers survive tomorrow, the challenge becomes twofold: win the game and do so without draining the legs of 40-year-old LeBron James and recently ill Luka Doncic. Redick is clearly aware of that.
But there may be help on the way.
Stretch big man Maxi Kleber has been upgraded to “questionable” for the first time since arriving in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade from Dallas. Kleber has been recovering from a foot injury and has yet to log a minute for the Lakers, but his potential return could give Redick the versatile big man he desperately needs.
Kleber won’t be expected to play extended minutes, but even a 10-12 minute stretch off the bench could prove invaluable, especially given his ability to stretch the floor, defend in space, and offer rim protection.
If available, Kleber could slide in as a backup five or even start in a small-ball role, allowing LeBron and Rui to play more natural positions while preserving their legs for crunch time.
His presence would give the Lakers a needed boost in spacing and allow Redick to deploy five-out offensive sets, which could help open up driving lanes for Luka and Reaves.
No other Lakers players are on the injury report, which is a rare positive in an otherwise high-pressure situation. They still trail 3-1 in the series, but with two of the final potential three games at home, the Lakers retain hope.
If Redick pulls the right strings, starting with a smarter lineup balance and possibly unleashing Kleber, they may just begin to turn the tide.
