Injury report: Alperen Sengun, Maxi Kleber and more ahead of Lakers vs. Rockets

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The Los Angeles Lakers have 15 games remaining in the regular season, but their next two matchups may be the most important.

Los Angeles will face the Houston Rockets Monday and again Wednesday.

With the two teams separated by half a game, these two matchups have strong playoff implications.

Wins for each side will be vital in the race for the No. 3 seed.

Also, each team will hope to remain in the top-four, with both the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves lurking, one game behind fourth place.

Teams knocked down to fifth or worse will be forced to play on the road in the first round, rather than holding home court advantage.

Currently, the Lakers lead the season series against Houston, having won Christmas Day in a 23-point blowout.

Ahead of tonight's game, each team is dealing with injuries.

The Rockets are dealing with the worst of it though, as they'll be without two-time All-Star, Alperen Sengun, who is sidelined due to a back injury.

Houston will also be without Jae'Sean Tate.

As for the Lakers, they'll be without third-string center Maxi Kleber who came over from Dallas in the Luka Doncic trade.

With Sengun sidelined, expect the Rockets to rely on Clint Capela, with Steven Adams also out for the rest of the season.

In Kleber's absence, the Lakers won't be missing much as the reserve big man averages just 10.9 minutes per game.

That said, Jaxson Hayes will likely get the majority of the minutes as a reserve behind Deandre Ayton.

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