Shortly after Los Angeles Lakers officially announced Kobe Bryant would not play in any games for the remainder of the season, Lakers reporter Mike Trudell provided an update on current Lakers who are also dealing with injuries.
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The Lakers are set to begin a two-game road trip on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, two of the Western Conference’s top teams. According to Trudell, the Lakers will likely be shorthanded as Jordan Hill continues to nurse a sore knee:
Jordan Hill (knee soreness) is also doubtful for the trip, while Pau Gasol didn’t practice (rest) but will play.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 12, 2014
Hill, who has been in and out of Mike D’Antoni’s doghouse, has been sidelined with a sore right knee. Prior to his streak of missed games, Hill logged six minutes in consecutive games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. The active forward was nearly sent to the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline, but the Lakers and Nets were reportedly at odds over which team was doing the favor. Hill will be a free agent in the summer and whether the Lakers choose to, or can afford to re-sign him remains to be seen.
Trudell also reports forward Nick Young is not expected to play:
Nick Young (knee) is doubtful to play on LAL’s two-game trip through OKC and San Antonio.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 12, 2014
Young has missed 14 of the Lakers’ last 15 games after he suffered a fracture in his left knee against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 5. Young returned against the Nets 18 days after being injured, but might have done so prematurely as he has been inactive since that point. Serving primarily as the team’s sixth man, Young is averaging 16.8 points per game this season, which is the second-highest total of his seven-year career. Like Hill, Young can also become a free agent if he declines his $1.2 million player option.
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