LeBron Laughs as Maxi Kleber's Wild Airball Sparks Lakers Win

An inconsequential airball became a small turning point in the Lakers’ 133-121 win over the Pelicans when Maxi Kleber accidentally lobbed a layup to the wrong rim. The moment sent LeBron James into laughter and, as LeBron put it, “sparked us,” breaking a tense stretch and helping Los Angeles reset; teammates called it a breath of fresh air that let them re-engage and extend the lead. Merlin sees the old truth: long seasons are won as much in the locker room as on the scoreboard. Kleber’s self-deprecating moment doubled as team-building under JJ Redick, a reminder that chemistry can be manufactured from mishaps — and that small levity often precedes sharper focus.