Hello, Lakers Nation. Welcome in to the Lakers Nation.com podcast. I'm Trevor Lane and it's

game day. Lakers Rockets once again with a lot on the line. 6.30 p.m. Pacific time tonight. I'll be

live right here on the Lakers Nation.com YouTube channel breaking down the game as it happens.

Come hang out. It's like a party. We'll see if the Lakers can get a big win tonight

over Houston. I'm going to get into the injury report. We'll take a peek at the standings as well

and the keys to victory for tonight's game. Let's start here with the injury update. As I said,

this is a big game. There's a lot on the line tonight for the Lakers. I'll get into that. We take a peek at the standings exactly why this is such a big game for the Lakers. But here is the injury report, and it's a very short one. Maxi Kleba. Otherwise, it's a clean injury report. Maxi Kleba is out. We're still dealing with a back strain for the Lakers. So no Maxie, but otherwise clean injury report for L.A.

I mentioned this last game against the Rockets,

which, of course, the Lakers did win.

Missing Maxie could actually matter a bit in this game.

You know, Maxi has had some good games, brought some energy,

done some good work on the glass,

high- energy player,

guy who brings a physicality to the center position, and especially with the Rockets injury

news being down even the third string center could wind up being something that's important

because take a look, the Rockets, injury report, Alperin Schengengun off the injury report, and that means he will play against the Lakers tonight.

He is the second best player on the Houston Rockets.

He is a difference maker for this team.

Now, it's not all good with Schengun.

There are some things that I think the Lakers can exploit with him out there on the floor.

But the bottom line is he is the second best player on the team.

He certainly helps them out.

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