NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers big man Maxi Kleber missed another game against the Miami Heat, sitting out for a sixth straight contest due to a back strain, but he appears to be getting closer to returning.

The team announced Thursday that Kleber has been assigned to the South Bay Lakers to practice with their G League affiliate, tweets Khobi Price of the California Post.

Meanwhile, Jake LaRavia has quietly become a key contributor for Los Angeles this season.

Although his addition was overshadowed by higher-profile moves involving Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, LaRavia has logged the second-most total minutes on the team and is the only Laker to have appeared in all 70 games so far.

Head coach JJ Redick recently spoke about his value to the team, according to Benjamin Royer of the Orange County Register.

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