In addition to not having rookie point guard Lonzo Ball as he continues to recover from a sprained MCL in his left knee, the Los Angeles Lakers are without Channing Frye for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was announced by the team that Frye is absent due to personal reasons. Frye, along with Isaiah Thomas and a first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, was traded to the Lakers by the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of last week’s deadline.
He did not play against the Dallas Mavericks, then logged 11 minutes and made his only attempt — a 3-pointer — in Wednesday’s blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
On the season, Frye is averaging 4.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 12.4 minutes per game. While he’s only a few days into his tenure with the Lakers, Frye has already drawn high praise from head coach Luke Walton for his leadership.
Frye shared similar feelings on the young Lakers roster, explaining that he hopes to serve as a mentor for the likes of Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle.
With Frye unavailable in their final game before the All-Star break, the Lakers could turn to Thomas Bryant and Ivica Zubac for spot minutes. Though, it was not as if Frye had become an integral part of Walton’s rotation.
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