Can an airballed layup actually save a basketball game? Sounds crazy, right? But that's exactly what happened when the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans. While Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves were lighting up the scoreboard, it was veteran Maxi Kleber who inadvertently sparked a game-changing surge... with a missed shot so bad, it was almost good.
The Lakers were cruising, building a massive lead, but then the dreaded complacency set in. The Pelicans started chipping away, and the energy in the arena shifted. You could feel the tension. But here's where it gets controversial... some might say the Lakers were too comfortable, relying on individual brilliance instead of team cohesion.
Luka Dončić, with 34 points, and Austin Reaves, dropping 33, became only the fourth pair of teammates ever to score 30+ points in three consecutive games. That's impressive! But basketball is a team sport, and sometimes you need more than just star power.
Enter Maxi Kleber. He only scored two points the entire game. Two. But after the Lakers secured their seventh straight win with a 133-121 victory, LeBron James made a beeline for Kleber, exclaiming, "FYI, you just sparked us!" The spark? A truly epic airballed layup. Seriously, an airball breathed new life into a team teetering on the brink of collapse.
Let's rewind. The Lakers were up big, but the Pelicans were clawing back, fueled by the Lakers' lackadaisical play in the third quarter. With about two minutes left in the third, New Orleans had cut the lead to just 11 points. The Lakers were in a scoring drought, and the momentum was rapidly shifting.
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia described the situation, "It was one of those games where you have to be locked in the whole time, because that’s a team that can come back. They play hard. And there was a stretch where we’re only up 11, and we just needed the energy to turn."
Then came the play that everyone is talking about. Kleber, driving to the basket, was fouled. He stepped to the free-throw line for an uncontested layup attempt... and completely missed. The ball sailed harmlessly through the air, nowhere near the basket. It was an airball of legendary proportions.
"I went to the rim. I got fouled, and I thought I had a layup. But… I guess I misjudged where the basket was," Kleber sheepishly admitted.
The Lakers' bench erupted. Some players hid their faces in disbelief, others burst into laughter. LeBron James, never one to miss a moment, reportedly couldn't stop chuckling. Austin Reaves even tried to shush him.
Reaves recounted, "(James) couldn’t stop laughing. I tried to get him to shut up."
But here's the part most people miss... the airball wasn't just funny, it was catalytic. Kleber, unfazed, stepped to the free-throw line and sank both shots. DeAndre Ayton applauded, and the bench cheered him on. Suddenly, the Lakers were energized. They went on an 8-0 run, effectively putting the game out of reach.
LaRavia forced a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play. Dončić, who hadn't scored in a while, hit a jumper and then a four-point play. The Lakers' lead ballooned, and the Pelicans never recovered.
Reaves described the impact, "Honestly, it was like a breath of fresh air, because everyone kinda forgot about what was happening in the game and had a good laugh."
Even rookie Adou Thiero recognized the significance, "From my point of view, first year in the league, it’s kinda crazy seeing how fast momentum can change from little things."
The story even made its way into the Lakers' group text chat, with LeBron James sharing the clip accompanied by a barrage of laughing emojis.
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent pointed out that JJ Redick, now a commentator, had a similar mishap earlier in his career. "I don’t know if you remember, but in ’07, JJ did the same thing. Go look that up. I said it in real time. I said, ‘This is funny, but I think J.J.’s done that too.’”
Redick himself acknowledged the incident, stating, "My rookie year, I airballed a layup against the Knicks. I remember… I didn’t get fouled, though. Maxi has an excuse."
The incident highlights the strong chemistry within the Lakers' locker room, a place where humor and camaraderie thrive. They can poke fun at each other without anyone taking it personally.
Reaves emphasized Kleber's importance to the team's dynamic: "(Kleber is) a big part of that. He’s f—ing awesome. He’s as good of a teammate as you could ask for. On the court. Off the court. Just good dude. Care factor is high. Unselfishness is high. Just cares about the right things."
Vincent added, "It speaks to our confidence as well. We’re confident in moments like that… And I think we understand how to enjoy the little things. I think the season is so long, you’ve got to enjoy the little things."
Kleber himself understands the importance of levity. "It’s very important. It’s a long season. Obviously, this was a funny play. But it could be serious, where we have a bad stretch, or a bad game, and it’s important that we stick together as a team. And that we can laugh about things and just work it out and not take it too hard. Because we know we’re good. And I think it helps to regain focus quickly."
So, was it just a fluke? Or did Maxi Kleber's airballed layup reveal a deeper truth about team dynamics and the power of laughter? Could a moment of comedic relief be more valuable than a perfectly executed play? Is it possible that sometimes, the best way to overcome adversity is to simply laugh it off? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
